Monthly payments case: ED takes Pinarayi Vijayan, Mohammed Riyas probe to Dubai

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is preparing to extend its investigation into the monthly payment (Masappadi) case involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former minister Mohammed Riyas to Dubai, seeking information about alleged overseas money transfers through hawala channels.

The agency plans to seek a letter rogatory, a formal request to authorities in another country to collect evidence. According to reports, the ED will first seek permission from the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Kochi and prepare questions. After the court’s approval, the letter will be forwarded to the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs before being sent to Dubai authorities.

The ED has said that a red book seized during an earlier search at the residence of Veena Vijayan in connection with the Masappadi case contained information relevant to the alleged transactions. The agency has also cited statements by Riyas’s friends alleging that Rs 1.2 crore was transferred abroad through hawala channels in five instalments at his direction.

The ED is seeking assistance from Dubai authorities to investigate the alleged transfers and obtain further evidence. The precise sequence for issuing summons to Pinarayi Vijayan and Riyas following the receipt of a report from Dubai could not be independently confirmed.