Move to record statements from Pinarayi, Riyas; Probe also against former minister's friends in Kozhikode

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Special Investigation Team decided to seek information from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding allegations of 'monthly payoffs' and hawala transactions involving Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan and former Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas. The team, led by SP P Vikraman and supervised by Crime Branch Chief H. Venkatesh, met on Thursday. SP Vikraman has been tasked with holding discussions with ED officials.

Documents held by the ED will be collected. A report will be submitted to the Director General of Police (DGP) after examining these materials. Statements from Pinarayi and Riyas will be recorded subsequently. Based on a letter from ED, an investigation will be conducted against Riyas' friends in Kozhikode.

An investigation will be conducted into the individuals mentioned in the ED's letter—including Shaijal Muhammed, P. Nikhil, Hasan Waris, V.P. Faijas, and M. Nandulal—who are alleged to have links with Riyas. Officials from the company CMRL also fall within the scope of the investigation.

Based on the ED's letter, a special team is investigating matters including monthly payments from the mineral sand company and hawala transactions to Dubai. If evidence is found, a case will be registered.

The DGP has issued an order constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the 'monthly payoff' allegations. The team comprises Crime Branch Kozhikode SP P. Vikraman; Ernakulam Range DySP K.V. Benny; Thiruvananthapuram Crime Branch DySP S.M. Pradeep Kumar; Crime Branch Headquarters DySP N. Biju; Cyber ​​Police Inspector S. Binoj; Crime Branch Inspector K. Bijulal; Kozhikode Crime Branch Inspectors T.D. Manoj Kumar and C.S. Sharon; and Thiruvananthapuram City DHQ Inspector K.G. Sankaran Potti. Ankit Ashokan, SP (Cyber ​​Operations), will provide cyber-related assistance to the SIT. The DGP's order also authorises the Crime Branch chief to appoint additional officers if deemed necessary.