Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 12: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) will register two FIR in the controversial cases at the Vigilance Court here on Monday, naming former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) legislator and former Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas as the first accused in separate cases.

The first case pertains to the CMRL-Exalogic monthly payments, in which Vijayan is the first accused. The second case involves the alleged corruption money received by Riyas, who was the tourism minister in the second LDF cabinet and is the husband of T. Veena, the daughter of Vijayan.

Veena is the second accused in both the cases.

The move follows a Kerala High Court single bench directive to register cases and conduct a full-fledged investigation into allegations arising from monthly payments made by the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) to Exalogic Solutions, a company owned by Vijayan’s daughter, Veena, and alleged benefits extended to the company by those holding public office.

In the first case, relating to the CMRL-Exalogic transactions, Vijayan will be the first accused and Veena the second accused.

In the second case, Riyas will be the first accused and Veena the second accused.

The two FIRs will examine the distinct allegations against the accused and the circumstances surrounding the payments and alleged favours.

The High Court had directed the Vigilance to register cases on the basis of the Enforcement Directorate’s report instead of conducting a preliminary inquiry.

The order marks a significant step in the politically sensitive controversy, which has remained under investigation by Central agencies and has triggered a prolonged political confrontation in Kerala.

The court had also set aside the police chief’s order constituting a special investigation team without the government’s approval.

The government is expected to issue a fresh order appointing a special team recommended by the Vigilance Director, in accordance with the court’s observations on the authority to constitute such a team.

All relevant documents held by the Crime Branch have been handed over to the Vigilance.

The agency’s position is that prior sanction is not required to proceed with the investigation in view of the High Court’s specific direction.

Meanwhile, sources familiar with the developments said Vijayan is moving ahead with a petition before the High Court’s division bench later on Monday, challenging the single bench order.

His move could open a fresh legal battle over the scope and procedure of the Vigilance investigation.

The registration of the two FIRs is expected to intensify the political and legal ramifications of the CMRL-Exalogic case, with the investigation now required to establish whether the payments were linked to any undue official favours.

Patna, Oct 12: BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi on Monday criticised Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s proposed march to the Supreme Court to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, calling it a “childish attempt” to put political pressure on the judiciary.

Saraogi said the alleged stone-pelting by protesters on security officials in Delhi and Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to approach the Chief Justice to submit a memorandum were unacceptable.

The remarks came amid plans by Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders to march to the Supreme Court to submit a memorandum to the CJI. However, CJI Surya Kant had declined their request.

Speaking to media, Saraogi said, “This is a childish attempt to put political pressure on the judiciary. These are immature acts. The unruly mob that pelted stones at the police and Rahul Gandhi going to the Chief Justice’s doorstep to submit a memorandum are unacceptable. The country’s Supreme Court is not a platform for political rallies.”

“If you have the courage, file a legal petition. Congress lawyers have filed petitions several times. Therefore, do not turn this into a political spectacle on the streets. The Chief Justice has already said that your case can be heard in court and that you should present your legal arguments there,” he said.

Saraogi further accused the opposition of creating chaos on the streets and attempting to put pressure on the Election Commission.

“The country is witnessing this cheap spectacle of creating chaos on the streets and putting pressure on the Election Commission. Surrounding Jantar Mantar without permission, breaking barricades and pelting stones at Akashvani Bhawan are unacceptable under any circumstances,” he said.

Referring to Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, Saraogi said their visit to the Parliament Street police station, where they allegedly demanded time and created a disturbance while claiming to maintain peace, was also objectionable.

“If they have any evidence, let them present it. This is not a one-day process. It is a process that takes 120–150 days, involving more than 35 lakh government and political party officials,” he said.

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to increase the monthly honorarium of around 60,000 village watchmen, or ‘gram praharis’, by Rs 1,000, starting October 13.

The proposed increase will raise their monthly honorarium from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500, marking a 40 per cent hike. Each village watchman will receive an additional Rs 12,000 annually following the increase.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to announce the decision during an event in Bareilly on October 13.

The Chief Minister is also scheduled to felicitate village watchmen at the Bareilly Police Lines during the programme.

The move comes after the state government raised the honorarium of cooks, Anganwadi workers and panchayat assistants in recent months. The government is now preparing to provide financial relief to village watchmen, who form an important link in the rural policing and information network.

Attached to local police stations, village watchmen relay information about suspicious activities, local disputes, and law-and-order issues to the police. They also help maintain communication between villages and police stations. They have been demanding an increase in their honorarium, and the proposed announcement is expected to address that demand.

With an estimated 60,000 village watchmen across the state, the proposed hike is expected to impose an additional financial burden of around Rs 7 crore per month and Rs 84 crore annually on the state exchequer.

Funds for the increase are likely to be provided for in a supplementary budget.

The government has taken similar decisions to increase the earnings of other categories of workers receiving an honorarium or allowance.

The monthly honorarium of around 3.53 lakh cooks preparing midday meals in government-run basic education schools has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000.

The honorarium of Anganwadi workers has been raised by Rs 4,000 per month, while that of Anganwadi helpers has been increased by Rs 2,000 per month.

Similarly, the monthly honorarium of more than 57,000 panchayat assistants has been raised from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000. The daily allowance of Provincial Guards (Prantiya Rakshak Dal) volunteers has also been increased from Rs 500 to Rs 600.

Separately, the government is considering increasing monthly pensions for senior citizens, destitute women and persons with disabilities from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. The proposal, which has received in-principle approval from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is likely to be placed before the state Cabinet in the second half of November.

The schemes currently cover more than 67 lakh senior citizens, 42 lakh destitute women and 12 lakh persons with disabilities. If approved, beneficiaries would receive an additional Rs 6,000 annually.