2 weeks ago
CPI(M) Leaders Vow Legal, Political Fight Over ED Searches
The Enforcement Directorate searched eight places in Kozhikode.
The searches are part of an investigation involving CMRL and Exalogic Solutions.
The ED alleges that CMRL made improper payments to Exalogic Solutions.
Veena T, the wife of P A Mohamed Riyas, was previously questioned in the case.
Riyas said the searches found nothing illegal.
He said reports about the matter were being used to damage his family and party.
Riyas and M V Govindan said the CPI(M) would respond through political and legal means.
They also said the searches would not frighten them or end their relationships with the people searched.
The investigation and the allegations remain ongoing.
CPI(M) leader P A Mohamed Riyas said he and the party would politically and legally respond to recent Enforcement Directorate searches.
The ED searched eight locations in Kozhikode under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Riyas said the searches found nothing illegal and accused reports of creating doubt about him, Veena T and the CPI(M).
The searches are linked to the CMRL-Exalogic Solutions money-laundering investigation involving alleged payments of Rs 2.78 crore.
CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan accused the ED and sections of the media of trying to tarnish the party’s image.
- Who
- CPI(M) leader P A Mohamed Riyas, state secretary M V Govindan, Veena T, the Enforcement Directorate, CMRL and Exalogic Solutions.
- What
- The ED conducted searches at eight locations as part of a money-laundering investigation, prompting political and legal criticism from CPI(M) leaders.
- Where
- The searches took place at eight locations in Kozhikode, Kerala; related actions also involved Thiruvananthapuram.
- When
- The searches were conducted on Tuesday, and Riyas spoke about them on Wednesday, August 19.
- Why
- The ED action was described as a follow-up to raids involving CMRL and allegations of fraudulent payments to Exalogic Solutions.
CPI(M) leaders' position
Enforcement Directorate's allegations
Purpose of the searches
CPI(M) leaders' position
Riyas and Govindan said the action and related reports were intended to create a smokescreen, cast doubt on the family and tarnish the CPI(M)'s image.
Enforcement Directorate's allegations
The ED conducted the searches as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to CMRL and Exalogic Solutions.
Payments to Exalogic Solutions
CPI(M) leaders' position
Riyas rejected suggestions of wrongdoing and said reports about Veena's firm were false; he said the company was named in his election nomination papers and was not secretly created.
Enforcement Directorate's allegations
The ED alleges that CMRL made fraudulent payments worth Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct Exalogic Solutions under the guise of IT consultancy services.
Political implications
CPI(M) leaders' position
Riyas said the CPI(M) would face the matter legally and politically, while Govindan accused the state government of acting in league with the Centre.
Enforcement Directorate's allegations
The agency's searches and questioning form part of its continuing investigation; the report does not provide a response from the ED to the CPI(M)'s accusations.
Key facts
- Agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Legal basis
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act
- Search locations
- Eight locations in Kozhikode
- Investigation link
- CMRL-Exalogic Solutions case
- Alleged payment
- Rs 2.78 crore allegedly paid by CMRL to Exalogic Solutions
- Riyas's response
- He said nothing illegal was found and promised political and legal action
- Previous action
- The ED raided Veena T in June and subsequently questioned her
Quotes
P A Mohamed Riyas
CPI(M) leader and former minister, husband of Veena T.
“"I have been opposing the BJP and its politics and will continue to do so till I die. Let any kind of investigation be carried out by them against us. We have nothing to fear. We have not done anything wrong. We will face it both legally and politically."”
theprint.in
“"The ED and some sections of the media were trying to create a smokescreen to tarnish the party image by raiding people close to Riyas."”
theprint.in
Sources
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