ED recommends corruption case against Pinarayi Vijayan over alleged Rs 3.28 crore bribe

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan received Rs 3.28 crore as a bribe from CMRL through his daughter Veena Vijayan while he was serving as Chief Minister.

The ED has recommended registering cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act against CPM Politburo member and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena, and his son-in-law and former minister P A Mohammed Riyas. As the recommendation has been officially submitted, the state Vigilance Department is required to take further action.

Even if Pinarayi Vijayan is named as an accused, he can continue to serve as the Opposition Leader. According to the ED's letter, Veena allegedly assisted Pinarayi Vijayan in receiving and routing the bribe.

P A Mohammed Riyas, an MLA and member of the CPM state secretariat, allegedly played a role in receiving the money and transferring it to Dubai, the ED said. The letter also names Riyas's friends Shaijal Mohammed, P Nikhil, Hasan Waris, V P Faijas and M Nandalal, alleging that they helped transfer the bribe money abroad. The ED has recommended that their roles also be investigated. The state Home Department and Director General of Police (DGP) have confirmed receiving the ED's letter.

The ED's Kochi zonal office handed over the 25-page letter to the DGP yesterday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The action was taken under Section 66(2) of the PMLA, which requires the ED to inform the state police when it detects an offence that falls under their jurisdiction.

Statements cited as evidence

1. The ED had earlier found that Veena Vijayan received Rs 2.78 crore from CMRL for services that were allegedly not provided. P Suresh Kumar, former Chief Financial Officer and Chief General Manager of CMRL, among others, reportedly gave statements to this effect.

2. The ED has also cited a statement given two years ago by CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha to the ED and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) as evidence of the alleged bribe. According to the statement, Kartha had a close relationship with Pinarayi Vijayan and had therefore paid the money.

3. The ED has also referred to notes made by Veena, information recovered from her phone and other electronic devices, and statements recorded during the investigation.