ED report alone insufficient for FIR filing: Kerala Home Minister

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday clarified that the state government's approach to a pending case follows established legal protocols, emphasizing that an FIR cannot be registered merely on the strength of an Enforcement Directorate report.

Chennithala told media persons that the state government had recently directed a preliminary inquiry into the matter after obtaining legal advice on the appropriate course of action. The clarification came amid questions about the state's handling of a case that had drawn the ED's attention.

The Home Minister's statement underscores the distinction between investigative findings by central agencies and the procedural requirements for registering a criminal case at the state level. According to established legal practice, state police authorities require sufficient evidence and proper legal grounds before initiating formal criminal proceedings.

The preliminary inquiry ordered by the state government is designed to examine the facts of the case independently and determine whether the legal threshold for registering an FIR has been met. This step is intended to ensure that any formal action taken by the state police is grounded in local investigation and adherence to due process requirements.