The Crossbill News Desk
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning on October 23 in the alleged money laundering case linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a now-defunct company owned by his daughter, T. Veena.
Officials informed PTI on Friday (October 16) that the summons was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), asking Vijayan to appear at the agency’s Kochi office. The ED registered a case under the law after taking cognisance of an FIR lodged by Kerala Police.
The summons comes amid parallel investigations by the ED and the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), following proceedings before the Kerala high court in the alleged CMRL-Exalogic payoff case.
On Thursday (October 15), a division bench of the Kerala high court upheld an October 9 order directing the VACB to register an FIR against Vijayan, his daughter Veena and his son-in-law, former minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, in connection with the alleged payments.
According to The Hindu, the ED has alleged that CMRL paid Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions under the pretence of providing information technology consultancy services. The company, which was owned by Veena, has since ceased operations.
The high court had earlier dismissed a petition challenging the order to register an FIR on the basis of material submitted by the ED concerning the alleged payments by CMRL. The court observed that an accused in a corruption case cannot be heard before an FIR is registered. It also held that registration of an FIR did not prevent the applicants from pursuing constitutional or statutory remedies against the allegations, reported The New Indian Express.
Following the high court’s ruling, the VACB registered two FIRs against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas.
Vijayan approached the Supreme Court on Friday, challenging the high court’s decision directing the registration of an FIR in the case. The ED, however, has proceeded with its investigation and has asked him to appear for questioning on October 23.
According to The New Indian Express, Vijayan’s lawyer has said that he would communicate the former chief minister’s inability to appear before the agency on the scheduled date, as the ongoing Kerala assembly session, in which Vijayan is participating, is due to conclude on October 29.
The ED’s summons adds another development to the case, with the agency’s money laundering investigation and the VACB proceedings continuing alongside Vijayan’s challenge before the Supreme Court. The allegations against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.
Officials informed PTI on Friday (October 16) that the summons was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), asking Vijayan to appear at the agency’s Kochi office. The ED registered a case under the law after taking cognisance of an FIR lodged by Kerala Police.
The summons comes amid parallel investigations by the ED and the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), following proceedings before the Kerala high court in the alleged CMRL-Exalogic payoff case.
On Thursday (October 15), a division bench of the Kerala high court upheld an October 9 order directing the VACB to register an FIR against Vijayan, his daughter Veena and his son-in-law, former minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, in connection with the alleged payments.
According to The Hindu, the ED has alleged that CMRL paid Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions under the pretence of providing information technology consultancy services. The company, which was owned by Veena, has since ceased operations.
The high court had earlier dismissed a petition challenging the order to register an FIR on the basis of material submitted by the ED concerning the alleged payments by CMRL. The court observed that an accused in a corruption case cannot be heard before an FIR is registered. It also held that registration of an FIR did not prevent the applicants from pursuing constitutional or statutory remedies against the allegations, reported The New Indian Express.
Following the high court’s ruling, the VACB registered two FIRs against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas.
Vijayan approached the Supreme Court on Friday, challenging the high court’s decision directing the registration of an FIR in the case. The ED, however, has proceeded with its investigation and has asked him to appear for questioning on October 23.
According to The New Indian Express, Vijayan’s lawyer has said that he would communicate the former chief minister’s inability to appear before the agency on the scheduled date, as the ongoing Kerala assembly session, in which Vijayan is participating, is due to conclude on October 29.
The ED’s summons adds another development to the case, with the agency’s money laundering investigation and the VACB proceedings continuing alongside Vijayan’s challenge before the Supreme Court. The allegations against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment