6 hrs ago
Kerala Government Recommends Probe Into Pinarayi Vijayan, Daughter’s Firm
The Kerala government wants police to look into allegations involving Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena and Muhammed Riyas.
The allegations concern Veena’s company, Exalogic Solutions.
Investigators say the company received money from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited for services that may not have been provided.
The Enforcement Directorate says the payments may have been illegal.
It also alleges that money was transferred through hawala routes.
A Crime Branch investigation will happen first.
Officials will decide later whether to formally register a case.
Vijayan says he has done nothing wrong.
Riyas says they will fight the matter in court and politically.
The Kerala government has recommended examining allegations against Pinarayi Vijayan, T Veena and Muhammed Riyas under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Enforcement Directorate asked state police to register a case based on alleged payments to Veena’s firm, Exalogic Solutions.
The Crime Branch will conduct a preliminary probe before authorities decide whether to register an FIR.
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited paid Exalogic Solutions Rs 2.78 crore without receiving services.
Vijayan denied the allegations, while Riyas said the matter would be contested legally and politically.
- Who
- Pinarayi Vijayan, T Veena, Muhammed Riyas, Exalogic Solutions, the Enforcement Directorate and Kerala state authorities.
- What
- The Kerala government recommended a preliminary probe into alleged corruption and illegal payments involving Exalogic Solutions.
- Where
- Kerala, including premises searched in May and locations connected to the case in Kozhikode district.
- When
- The recommendation followed an Enforcement Directorate report submitted earlier this month; the alleged payments occurred during Pinarayi Vijayan’s first term as chief minister.
- Why
- The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Exalogic Solutions received payments from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited without providing services and that bribe money was transferred through hawala routes.
Investigators’ Allegations
Vijayan Camp’s Response
Nature of the payments
Investigators’ Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited paid Exalogic Solutions despite the firm not providing services, and describes the payments as illegal or bribes.
Vijayan Camp’s Response
Pinarayi Vijayan denies the allegations and says his hands are clean.
Need for investigation
Investigators’ Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate asked police to register a case, citing alleged money transfers through hawala routes and an alleged admission by a former Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited finance chief.
Vijayan Camp’s Response
Muhammed Riyas says they are not afraid of an investigation and will contest the issue legally and politically, asserting that the innocent will remain innocent.
Key facts
- Proposed legal basis
- Prevention of Corruption Act
- Initial investigating agency
- Crime Branch wing of the Kerala state police
- Alleged payment to Exalogic Solutions
- Rs 2.78 crore
- Alleged amount attributed to Pinarayi Vijayan
- Rs 3.28 crore, according to the Enforcement Directorate
- Company named in allegations
- Exalogic Solutions
- Company allegedly making payments
- Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited
- Current procedural status
- A preliminary probe is planned; a final decision on registering an FIR has not yet been made
Quotes
A source at the Home Minister’s office
An unnamed source familiar with the Home Minister’s office decision
“The crime branch wing of the state police will conduct a preliminary probe into the matter based on the ED report. A decision on registering an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act will be taken only after the preliminary probe.”
indianexpress.com
“We are not afraid of any probe. The script is good. The innocent will remain innocent, irrespective of probes at any level. The issue will be fought legally and politically.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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