ED files ECIR in 'monthly payment' case, setback for CPM with only 30 days left for LS polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ED's decision to register a case and conduct an investigation into the allegations involving the Chief Minister's daughter has put the CPM and the Left Front on the defensive. One month from now is voting day. The ED has again summoned former Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac, who is also the LDF candidate from Pathanamthitta, to appear on April 2, which will also cast a shadow on the election campaign. The ED has moved to speed up the investigation in the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank fraud case.

There is a strong concern that the central government is moving its arms against the left wing in Kerala, similar to how it dealt a fatal blow to the Aam Aadmi Party and the government in Delhi.

CPM state secretary MV Govindan held a press conference and accused the ED of doing mercenary work for the Modi government after the CPM state secretariat meeting which was held urgently yesterday.

There is a strong allegation that the central government is trying to politically neutralize all the opposition governments by entangling them in cases by using central agencies.

CPM alleges that the BJP, which has collected Rs 8,251 crore under the guise of electoral bonds, including from black money, is doing exercises to divert attention from it.

The state Congress leadership is overjoyed that it has now got a powerful tool. Without expressing it, they are portraying ED's move as an election stunt.

ED against Exalogic

1. In the monthly payment case, a case was registered by the Enforcement Directorate Kochi unit against the IT company Exalogic Solutions of Chief Minister's daughter Veena Vijayan and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) of Aluva.

The ED's case is based on the Income Tax department's finding that CMRL paid a total of Rs 1.72 crore monthly to Exalogic Solutions on behalf of software services even though they were not provided. An Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), similar to a First Information Report, has been filed.

2. CMRL officials will be summoned and questioned to collect evidence of payment. Account records will also be checked. Only after that the investigation will reach Veena Vijayan.

It was in 2016 that Veena's company and CMRL signed the first agreement for marketing consultancy services. The reward was Rs 5 lakhs per month. In 2017, another agreement was entered into for software services. Salary was Rs 3 lakhs per month.

3. If it is found that it is not a legal transaction, an FIR will by considering it unlawful money. It will be registered and submitted to the court. The State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), which has a stake and directorship in CMRL, will also come under the ambit of the probe. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office, a central agency, is also investigating.