Central govt orders investigation into Veena Vijayan's Exalogic firm; report to be submitted within four months

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The central government has announced an inquiry against Exalogic, the company owned by the daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The order is from the Central Corporate Affairs Ministry and a three-member high-ranking team has been appointed for a detailed investigation. The final report should be submitted within four months. The investigation is based on the findings of the Income Tax Board in the illegal salary case.

There is an investigation against CMRL, a mineral sand mining company, and Industrial Development Corporation, which is a public sector body. According to the order, Exalogic has committed several violations of the law. A detailed investigation was ordered when this became clear in the preliminary investigation conducted by the Registrar of Companies Bengaluru.

CMRL gave vague and evasive replies to the registrar of companies in Ernakulam. KSIDC did not even respond. The order directed a detailed inquiry into the entire dealings of these three firms.

Karnataka Deputy Registrar of Companies Varun BS, Chennai Deputy Director KM Shankara Narayanan, and Pondicherry ROC A Gokul Nath are in charge of the investigation. The order was issued by the Joint Director of the central ministry. Earlier, the Registrar of Companies had received a complaint to investigate the transaction between Exalogic and CMRL. The investigation is being conducted under Section 210.1.C of the Companies Act, 2013.

Earlier, the Income Tax Interim Settlement Board had found that CMRL illegally paid Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic to curry favour with CM Pinarayi Vijayan. However, the Chief Minister and the CPM argued that the amount was received for the services rendered. If this investigation reveals serious irregularities, the Series Fraud Investigation Office will take over the investigation.