Kartha fails to appear before ED despite issuing summons in monthly payoff case

KOCHI: S N Sasidharan Kartha, the managing director of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) failed to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for interrogation in the monthly payoff case. He was asked to appear today at 10.30 am. The summons sent last night asked him to appear today.

Kartha was earlier asked to appear on Monday, but he did not turn up. He cited health issues for his absence. The income tax settlement board found that Rs one crore 72 lakh was paid to Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan and her software firm Exalogic for non-existent services in CMRL. The board also found that apart from this, money was given to Veena as loan. The ED is also planning to summon chief minister's daughter as well.

The interrogation of the CMRL employees has been completed. The ED had yesterday summoned CMRL company CFO Suresh Kumar, senior manager Chandrasekaran and Anju in charge of systems. The interrogation of the officials who appeared at the Kochi ED office at around 10 yesterday morning began in the afternoon.