Monthly pay-off case: SFIO issues summons to CMRL officials, directs to appear for interrogation

KOCHI: The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has issued summons to the officials of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) in the monthly payoff case against chief minister's daughter Veena Vijayan. The summons has been issued to eight people including the director. He is directed to appear in Chennai on August 28 and 29 for interrogation.

Meantime, the CMRL has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the arrest. It is alleged that the CMRL company paid Exalogic Solutions owned by Veena for services it did not provide. The SFIO is investigating this issue.

SFIO is the agency that has the power to even arrest the accused if they are found guilty. The case is being probed by a six-member team comprising top corporate ministry officials.

Meantime, the state government had earlier informed the high court that there is a planned move to connect the monthly off issue with the chief minister. It was also clarified that the chief minister had nothing to do with the deal related to Exalogic Company. The government's explanation was in the plea filed by Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA.