Overview

• Enquiry Commissioner A. Manoj rejected the VACB’s preliminary exoneration of Ajith Kumar, citing a biased and improperly influenced investigation.
• The court held that political executives, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, lack legal standing in anti-corruption inquiries and warned of an 'invisible penetration' shaping the probe.
• Finding prima facie merit in advocate P. Nagaraj’s petition, the court directed him to record his statement on August 30 before proceeding with witness examinations.
• Opposition leaders seized on the verdict to demand that Chief Minister Vijayan relinquish the Home portfolio and called for independent oversight of the Chief Minister’s Office and VACB.
• Ajith Kumar denied the allegations as politically motivated and submitted bank records and property documents to assert his innocence.