'Funnelled money to Dubai through husband'; ED to join hands with international agencies

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will take help from international agencies to uncover detailed information regarding financial transactions—including hawala dealings—that took place in Dubai in connection with the 'monthly payment' case. This action is part of newly registered cases involving violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and corruption. The ED alleged that Veena Vijayan funnelled money to Dubai through her husband, former minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas. The investigation will also extend to Riyas's associates.

1. An application will be submitted to the court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), specifying the information required from Dubai. A list of the details to be investigated in Dubai, along with a questionnaire, will be prepared and submitted. The court will review these documents and forward them to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs; subsequently, the Ministry of External Affairs will transmit them to the authorities in Dubai through the Indian Embassy. An agency in Dubai—which has an understanding with Indian investigative agencies—will conduct the inquiry and provide detailed information. This information will be treated as evidence.

2. Investigative and intelligence agencies from various countries collaborate on financial fraud matters. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) can gather necessary information through this network. Furthermore, this international network can be utilised to circumvent legal or other obstacles that might otherwise hinder the process of travelling to another country to conduct investigations and collect evidence or documentation.

Transactions amounting to Rs 20.5 crore rupees are recorded in a red notebook, written in Veena Vijayan’s own handwriting. This detail is contained in a statement provided by K. Warish, a friend of Riyas. According to Warish, individuals arrived at his office—acting on instructions from Muhammed Riyas—and made transactions during June and July 2024. The statement further alleges that, in 2024, 1.2 crore rupees were transferred to one Faijas V.P. in Dubai through a *hawala* agent named Zubair Karuvampoyil.