ED tracks initials in CMRL book as probe widens to political leaders

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is widening its investigation into political leaders who allegedly received money from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). The move comes in the wake of the agency’s probe into the monthly pay-off case involving Veena Vijayan.

The ED is trying to identify the people represented by initials mentioned in a book seized from CMRL. After confirming their identities, the agency is expected to recommend an investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act to the State Police Chief.

The ED had earlier submitted a report to the State Police Chief seeking an investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act, treating the payments received by Veena Vijayan from CMRL as alleged bribes.

The book seized by the Income Tax Department during a search at CMRL contains initials of people to whom money was allegedly paid. The ED suspects that the amounts were received by political leaders in the name of donations. Initials such as RC, KK, EK and PV are mentioned along with the amounts paid.

The ED has reportedly questioned former CMRL auditors and the company's former Chief Financial Officer about the initials during recent questioning. The agency is expected to examine the bank transactions of people matching the initials before recommending further investigation.

Affidavits seeking correction of statements

More people have approached the ED seeking to correct their statements, alleging that the agency threatened and pressured them to name political leaders in the monthly pay-off case.

Former CMRL Chief Financial Officer K. Suresh Kumar and current General Manager Manohardas have submitted affidavits seeking corrections to their earlier statements. They now allege that their previous statements were made under pressure. They have also alleged that space was left blank on the pages where their statements were recorded and that some portions were added later. Similar allegations were made by businessman Hassan Waris, a friend of P. A. Mohammed Riyas, who submitted an affidavit seeking correction of his statement recorded during an ED search in Kozhikode. Waris alleged that he was threatened with implicating his daughter in the case and was pressured to name certain people.

The ED has not officially responded to the affidavits seeking corrections. ED sources said witnesses have the right to submit such requests, but the investigating officers will decide whether to accept them. The agency has also maintained that retractions or correction requests do not by themselves determine the evidentiary value of the original statements.