MADURAI: The naming of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter, Veena Vijayan, as an accused in the monthly payment case by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) slightly dimmed the celebratory atmosphere within the CPM and its supporters, but both the party and its leaders have strongly come out in defense, turning it into a united resistance.

On Thursday evening, as news broke of the SFIO's move, it sparked widespread discussion. However, by Friday morning, several senior leaders asserted that the case was politically motivated and aimed at targeting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Chief Minister himself, however, chose not to comment on the issue.

CPM Politburo Coordinator Prakash Karat said the party would counter the SFIO action both politically and legally. LDF Convenor T.P. Ramakrishnan added that the allegations would not, in any way, affect the Chief Minister. Politburo members M.A. Baby and A. Vijayaraghavan, central committee members A.K. Balan and K.K. Shailaja, and ministers K.N. Balagopal, P. Rajeev, and M.B. Rajesh also voiced strong opposition to the SFIO's actions.

CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan told the media that the move by the SFIO to name Veena Vijayan as an accused was part of a deliberate agenda. He pointed out that just as the Delhi High Court was set to deliver a verdict on halting the SFIO investigation, the judge was transferred to the Allahabad High Court. The current developments, he said, appear staged in the interim period, when the court indicated it would hear detailed arguments in July. He asserted that the case has no legal standing.

Chargesheet submitted; arrest not mandatory, says legal experts

KOCHI: The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has submitted its charge sheet in the monthly pay-off case, naming Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter T. Veena as an accused. The charge sheet was initially filed before the Ernakulam Principal District Sessions Court and then transferred to the Additional Sessions Court (7), which handles economic offenses.

The SFIO has alleged that a financial fraud of Rs 2.7 crore was committed jointly by CMRL and Veena’s company, Exalogic, for services that were never rendered. With the submission of the charge sheet, the case may now proceed to further investigation and legal procedures. It is also reported that a summons may soon be issued to the accused to appear in court.

Since this is a case under the Companies Act, legal experts say arrest is not mandatory and the accused can seek bail from the court. Veena may also benefit from provisions favoring women in such cases.