Kochi, April 17 -- The Kerala high court on Wednesday ordered that status quo be maintained for two months over a court in Ernakulam taking cognizance of the final prosecution complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in the alleged illegal payment scandal involving Veena T, the daughter of Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), a minerals manufacturer.

Justice TR Ravi passed the interim order on a petition filed by CMRL and its general manager challenging the decision of the Ernakulam additional sessions court taking cognizance of the SFIO's charges against top officials of CMRL and Veena T.

The court noted that the matter would be heard in detail post the court's s...