ED raid ongoing at Pinarayi Vijayan's residence; Officials quizzing Veena Vijayan, CMRL officials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Enforcement Directorate is conducting a raid at former Chief Minister and present Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan's residence. The raid is ongoing at Vijayan’s rented house in Bakery Junction, Thiruvananthapuram, and at his house in Kannur. The search is being conducted in connection with the monthly payment case involving Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan. The ED action comes a day after the court allowed the central agency to proceed with the investigation in the case. ED officials are now taking Veena's statements in the case. Even after two hours, the raid is continuing in 12 locations across Kerala.

ED officials reached Pinarayi's house early this morning. Pinarayi Vijayan, his family members, including his daughter Veena Vijayan, are present in the residence in Bakery Junction. It is learnt that searches are being conducted at 12 places across Kerala in connection with the case. The houses of Pinarayi's son-in-law, Muhammed Riyas, CMRL MP Sasidharan Kartha, and senior manager Chandrashekhar, as well as the offices of CMRL, are being searched.

The High Court on Tuesday rejected the request of Aluva-based Cochin Minerals and Rutiles Limited (CMRL) to cancel the ED investigation in the monthly payment case involving Veena Vijayan. The ED is investigating the monthly payment case under the Money Laundering Act. CMRL approached the court, questioning the summons sent by the ED and demanding the cancellation of the investigation.

As per the allegations, CMRL illegally paid a huge amount to Veena's IT company, Exalogic (Rs 1.72 crore), without Exalogic providing any IT services. Along with the ED, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office is also investigating the case. Through this investigation, the ED aims to clarify the source of the funds, the instructions under which the funds were transferred, etc. CMRL argued that, since the Serious Fraud Investigation Office is conducting the investigation, an ED investigation is unnecessary.

In this case, investigations conducted by the Income Tax Department and the SFIO also found that the service was not provided for the amount transferred. Investigations conducted by the Registrar of Companies in Ernakulam and Bengaluru also found anomalies against Exalogic. The Bengaluru Registrar had also recommended an ED investigation.