3 hrs ago
ED Seeks Kerala FIR in CMRL Bribery Case Against Vijayan
The Enforcement Directorate has asked Kerala Police to consider filing a criminal case.
The people named include former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena and her husband P A Mohammed Riyas.
The case concerns payments made by a mining company called CMRL.
The ED says some payments to Veena’s former company may have been disguised as IT consulting fees.
One report says the alleged payment was Rs 2.78 crore, while another describes a Rs 3.28 crore alleged bribe involving Vijayan.
The ED says searches and its investigation found material supporting further action.
It also reported finding notes that mentioned transfers to Dubai.
Vijayan called the case politically motivated, and the CPI(M) said it would fight the allegations.
Kerala Police or its vigilance authorities must now decide how to proceed.
The Enforcement Directorate asked Kerala’s DGP to register an FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan, T Veena, P A Mohammed Riyas and others.
The request was made under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, citing evidence from the ED’s investigation and searches.
The ED alleges that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited made fraudulent payments to Veena’s company, Exalogic Solutions, for purported IT consultancy services.
The reports differ on the alleged amount: one cites Rs 2.78 crore paid to Exalogic, while another says the ED identified Rs 3.28 crore as an alleged bribe received by Vijayan through Veena.
Vijayan called the case political vendetta, while Riyas and the CPI(M) said they would challenge the allegations politically and legally.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate, former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, T Veena, P A Mohammed Riyas and other named individuals and companies.
- What
- The ED has sought registration of an FIR concerning alleged bribery and fraudulent payments linked to CMRL and Exalogic Solutions.
- Where
- The communication was sent to the Kerala Director General of Police; the alleged financial trail includes Kerala and transfers to Dubai.
- When
- The request was reported on Tuesday; searches involving Veena took place in June, and the ED reported search findings in August. The PMLA case was filed in March 2024, according to PTI.
- Why
- The ED said its investigation and searches produced evidence suggesting bribery, disguised payments and movement of funds, warranting action under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other laws.
ED’s Allegations
Vijayan and CPI(M)’s Response
Nature of the payments
ED’s Allegations
The ED alleges that CMRL made fraudulent payments to Exalogic under the guise of IT consultancy services and describes a possible bribery trail involving Vijayan, Veena and Riyas.
Vijayan and CPI(M)’s Response
The reports do not provide a detailed alternative account of the payments; Vijayan rejected the case’s political framing and called it political vendetta.
Evidence and further action
ED’s Allegations
The ED says material recovered during its investigation and searches can be shared with police under Section 66(2) and supports registration of an FIR.
Vijayan and CPI(M)’s Response
The CPI(M) and Riyas said they would challenge the ED’s allegations and searches politically and legally, with the party accusing the agency of targeting Riyas.
Next procedural step
ED’s Allegations
The ED has asked Kerala authorities to investigate alleged corruption and other cognisable offences through a police or vigilance case.
Vijayan and CPI(M)’s Response
Kerala authorities have yet to publicly confirm the communication or announce whether they will register an FIR, seek legal advice or take another course.
Key facts
- Investigating agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Requested action
- Registration of an FIR by Kerala Police or a competent vigilance agency
- Legal provision cited
- Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act
- People named
- Pinarayi Vijayan, T Veena, P A Mohammed Riyas and others
- Companies involved
- Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited and Exalogic Solutions Private Limited
- Reported payment figures
- Reports cite Rs 2.78 crore in alleged payments to Exalogic and Rs 3.28 crore as an alleged bribe involving Vijayan
- Reported search evidence
- Handwritten notes allegedly containing details of certain fund transfers to Dubai
Quotes
ED sources
Sources from the Enforcement Directorate speaking to NDTV about the agency's evidence and referral.
“are convinced that there are materials that we can share with the police agency, where we have come across materials which say that crores of money has been transferred, and we are convinced that there are materials which another agency should register and investigate.”
NDTV
Sources
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