2 weeks ago
ED Reports Dubai Transfer Notes in Vijayan Daughter Probe
India’s Enforcement Directorate is investigating money transfers linked to Veena T, the daughter of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The agency says it found handwritten financial notes during searches in May.
The notes allegedly listed money moved in Indian rupees and Dubai currency.
They reportedly mentioned about 3.49 lakh AED, or around Rs 85 lakh, transferred to Dubai.
They also reportedly recorded about Rs 20.05 crore in Indian rupees.
The case involves payments that the agency says Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd made to Veena’s company for services that were not provided.
Investigators also mentioned a SIM card registered in someone else’s name and suspected hawala-related evidence.
Veena’s family and political allies reject the political purpose of the investigation.
They say they will challenge the matter through legal and political action.
The Enforcement Directorate said it seized handwritten accounts from Veena T during May searches that detailed funds handled and transferred to Dubai.
The agency said the notes recorded about 3.49 lakh AED, equivalent to approximately Rs 85 lakh, and around Rs 20.05 crore in Indian rupees.
The ED alleged that digital devices showed a SIM card registered to another person and used, or intended for use, for internet-based calls.
The money-laundering case involves Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd and Veena’s now-defunct Exalogic Solutions over alleged fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore.
Pinarayi Vijayan, P A Mohamed Riyas and M V Govindan described the investigation or searches as politically motivated and said they would respond politically and legally.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate, Veena T, Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd, Exalogic Solutions, Pinarayi Vijayan, P A Mohamed Riyas and M V Govindan.
- What
- The Enforcement Directorate reported seizing handwritten financial accounts and digital evidence during a money-laundering investigation.
- Where
- Searches took place in Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode; the seized notes allegedly referred to transfers to Dubai.
- When
- The main searches took place in May, including a search on May 27; fresh searches were conducted on August 18, with the agency’s statement issued Wednesday.
- Why
- The investigation concerns alleged fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd to Exalogic Solutions under the stated guise of IT consultancy services.
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
Political and Family Response
Nature of the payments
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd made fraudulent payments to Exalogic Solutions without receiving services, and that Veena T received money connected to alleged proceeds of crime.
Political and Family Response
Pinarayi Vijayan has called the case against his daughter a political vendetta intended to target him and his family.
Meaning of the financial notes
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
The ED says Veena’s handwritten accounts show amounts beyond her known income, including about 3.49 lakh AED transferred to Dubai and approximately Rs 20.05 crore in Indian rupees.
Political and Family Response
The available responses from Veena’s family and political allies reject the investigation’s political implications but do not specifically address each financial figure cited by the ED.
Purpose of the searches
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
The ED says fresh searches targeted people named in Veena’s accounts and the person who allegedly provided the SIM card, and that it found evidence related to hawala channels.
Political and Family Response
P A Mohamed Riyas and M V Govindan said the searches targeting people close to Riyas would be handled politically and legally, with Govindan alleging that Riyas was being targeted.
Key facts
- Investigating agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Companies involved
- Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd and Exalogic Solutions, which is now defunct
- Alleged payment
- Rs 2.78 crore allegedly paid by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd to Exalogic Solutions
- Dubai amount
- About 3.49 lakh AED, described by the ED as approximately Rs 85 lakh
- Indian-rupee accounts
- Approximately Rs 20.05 crore, according to the seized handwritten accounts
- Fresh searches
- The ED said it conducted searches on August 18 in Kozhikode
- Additional alleged evidence
- A photograph of a SIM card registered to another person and suspected evidence of hawala-based transfers
Quotes
Enforcement Directorate
Federal government agency investigating money laundering
“"The seizures made by ED (during August 18 searches) shows Smt. Veena was handling amounts beyond her known sources of income."”
NDTV
rediff.com
“"We will deal with the ED searches politically and legally."”
NDTV
Sources
Related news
ED Alleges Veena Vijayan Managed Funds, Sent Money Dubai
Fresh ED Raids in CMRL-Exalogic Case Involving Pinarayi's Daughter
Sunny Joseph Rejects Political Witch-Hunt Claim in CMRL Case
ED Expands Exalogic-CMRL Probe, Summoning Veena Vijayan Again
Pinarayi Vijayan Denies Family Hawala Link Amid ED Probe
CPI(M) Leaders Vow Legal, Political Fight Over ED Searches
CPM Urges ECI to Protect Eligible Voters During Roll Revision
Satheesan Says Kerala’s LDF Faces Turmoil Amid Left Rift
Thomas Isaac Blames Arrogance, Candidate Lapses for CPI(M) Setback
CPI(M) Alleges Bishop, Wife Assaulted Over Conversion Charges
Calcutta High Court Grants Interim Bail to CPI(M) Leader