ED expedites probe in monthly payoff case: Veena Vijayan likely to be grilled soon

KOCHI: Reports said the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has expedited the investigation in the monthly payoff case, may soon summon the chief minister's daughter Veena Vijayan for interrogation. Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) managing director Sasidharan Kartha may also be questioned along with her.

The ED as a first step has asked the officer in charge of finance at CMRL to appear at its office in Kochi for questioning tomorrow. Other officials will also be called soon. Some of them had earlier testified to the income tax investigation that they had paid money for non-existent services. Following this, more officers are going to be grilled. The serious fraud investigation office is also investigating the monthly payoff case.

The income tax settlement board had found that Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan and her software firm Exalogic paid Rs 1 crore 72 lakh for non-existent services in CMRL. It has also been found that money was given to Veena as loan.

Veena Vijayan, Exalogic Company and Public Sector Undertaking KSIDC are under investigation in the case. The ED estimates that payment for non-existent services falls within the ambit of money laundering. Documents may be sought from opposing parties prior to interrogation. If are not cooperating with this, will take measures including raids. They will be interrogated after that.