Pinarayi Vijayan must appear for questioning; senior ED officials to grill former CM

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made it clear that Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan must appear for questioning in the alleged corruption case related to financial transactions between CMRL and Veena Vijayan's Exalogic Solutions. However, the agency also believes that Pinarayi is unlikely to appear on October 23, as directed in the summons. The ED is proceeding with the investigation on the assumption that he will have to be questioned sooner or later.

The summons was sent by post on Friday, and a copy was pasted at Pinarayi's residence in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday. This was done to prevent him from later claiming that he had not received the notice. There are indications that the ED's Special Director will also reach Kochi when the agency questions a former Chief Minister of Kerala for the first time.

Given Pinarayi Vijayan's prominence at the national level as a former Chief Minister and the current Opposition Leader, there are indications that Prakash Kumar, Special Director of the ED's Chennai South Zone, who is supervising the monthly pay-off case, will take part in the questioning either in person or online. The questioning will be conducted in accordance with instructions from senior officials, including ED Director Rahul Navin. Pinarayi Vijayan is the first accused in the case.