4 hrs ago
Keralam Government Orders Police Inquiry Into ED Report Against Vijayan
The Enforcement Directorate sent Kerala police a report about alleged illegal payments.
The report names former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas.
The agency says a company paid Rs 2.78 crore to Veena’s former company.
Kerala’s government decided that the police should first examine the report.
The inquiry will be led by the Director General of Police.
It is expected to be handled by the Crime Branch.
The police may investigate before registering a formal case.
The state government based its decision on legal advice and Supreme Court rulings.
The Keralam government ordered the Director General of Police to inquire into an Enforcement Directorate report involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others.
The report seeks action against Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena T and P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited bribery case.
The inquiry is expected to be conducted by the Crime Branch without registering a First Information Report initially.
The decision followed legal advice from the Advocate General citing provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Supreme Court’s Lalita Kumari judgment.
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena T’s now-defunct Exalogic Solutions.
- Who
- The Keralam government, the Enforcement Directorate, former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena T and P A Mohamed Riyas are central to the matter.
- What
- The government ordered a police inquiry into the Enforcement Directorate’s report seeking action in the alleged CMRL bribery case.
- Where
- The inquiry will be conducted by Keralam’s state police, reportedly through its Crime Branch.
- When
- The decision was announced on Tuesday after the Advocate General’s opinion was received two days earlier.
- Why
- The government said the inquiry followed legal advice that law enforcement must act on received information, while a preliminary inquiry may precede an FIR when a cognisable offence is unclear.
State Government’s Inquiry Position
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
How the matter should proceed
State Government’s Inquiry Position
The government ordered a preliminary police inquiry through the Director General of Police, with the Crime Branch expected to examine the report before an FIR is registered.
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate asked the state police chief to register an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act based on evidence it says was gathered during its investigation and searches.
Nature of the alleged payments
State Government’s Inquiry Position
The government has not announced a final finding and has directed police to determine whether the information discloses a cognisable offence.
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions under the guise of IT consultancy services.
Key facts
- Inquiry authority
- Director General of Police, Keralam
- Likely investigating unit
- Crime Branch
- Initial FIR status
- The inquiry is expected to proceed without registering an FIR initially.
- Alleged payment
- Rs 2.78 crore
- Company named
- Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL)
- Recipient company
- Exalogic Solutions, described as Veena T’s now-defunct company
- Legal basis cited
- Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Supreme Court’s Lalita Kumari judgment
Quotes
Ramesh Chennithala
Kerala Home Minister who announced the decision to order the inquiry
“Under Section 66(2) of the PMLA, 2002, when information is received by a law enforcement agency, it is legally the agency’s responsibility to act on it. It was on the basis of this responsibility that the letter was given to the DGP.”
theprint.in
“Based on that legal opinion, a discussion was held with the chief minister this morning. Following the discussion, an order assigning the DGP to conduct an inquiry into the matter will be issued within minutes.”
deccanchronicle.com
M A Baby
CPI(M) general secretary criticizing the inquiry
“This has to be faced legally and politically. There have been many instances of the Enforcement Directorate being used to achieve the BJP’s political objectives.”
theprint.in
Sources
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ED Seeks Kerala FIR in CMRL Bribery Case Against Vijayan
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ED Seeks FIR Against Vijayan Family Before CPI-M Polls Meet
Kerala Government Recommends Probe Into Pinarayi Vijayan, Daughter’s Firm
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