THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Apart from monthly-payoff, the chief minister's daughter Veena Vijayan is also reported to have dealings with Cochin Minerals Rutile Limited (CMRL). The information of CMRL bearing the expenses of Veena's itinerary surface. The investigating officers sought information related to this from Veena Vijayan.

More information of Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) recording Veena's statement has surfaced. Apart from monthly payoff, the officials express suspicion of other financial transactions. As part of this, information on other transactions with CMRL was also sought. SFIO’s collection of information related to Veena Vijayan's company Exalogic has been completed.

Veena appeared before SFIO’s deputy director Arun Prasad, the investigation officer, in Chennai for interrogation. The action was taken after 10 months of filing the case. With this, the chief minister facing attacks from the opposition in the ADGP controversy, is put on the defensive. With three by-elections nearing, this has become a sharp weapon for the opposition. The opposition will use it as a weapon in the assembly session today and tomorrow.

The case is that Veena's company Exalogic received Rs 1.72 crore monthly from CMRL for services not rendered. The high court had dismissed Veena's plea to stay the SFIO's investigation into the transactions with the private black sand company.

The SFIO had recorded the statement of K Aravindakshan, chief finance officer of KSIDC, a government entity that has a stake in CMRL. He had also produced documents including reports of some financial years. Veena's statement was taken on the basis of these documents.

In January, the SFIO under the Union Corporate Affairs Ministry was tasked with investigating the mysterious transactions of Veena's company. ED's investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is also progressing.