ED asks Kerala police to register corruption case against Pinarayi Vijayan, family

The Enforcement Directorate has formally requested the Kerala police to register a First Information Report against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, son-in-law Mohammed Riyas, and others under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The request stems from an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to Veena's IT firm, Exalogic Solutions.

The central agency has submitted a detailed report to the state Director General of Police, seeking a separate FIR in connection with the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case. The final decision on registration rests with the state police, which functions under the Home Department now led by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala. The Congress-led government assumed office after defeating Vijayan's CPI(M) in the April state elections.

The ED has alleged that Kochi-based CMRL made payments to Exalogic Solutions without receiving any corresponding services. These purported illegal payments, reportedly made during Vijayan's first term as Chief Minister, were initially flagged by the Income Tax Department. The agency claims Veena's firm received Rs 2.78 crore from CMRL under the guise of IT consultancy payments.

Following searches at Vijayan's premises in May and at eight locations linked to CPI(M) leaders in Kozhikode, the ED stated it found evidence of money transfers through hawala channels. The agency's report to the police alleges that Vijayan collected Rs 3.28 crore from CMRL as a bribe through his daughter. This claim is supported by an admission from CMRL's former Chief Financial Officer, according to the ED. The agency further alleges that Riyas facilitated the transfer of bribe money to Dubai through Veena and others.

The ED has also sought FIRs against senior employees of Exalogic Solutions. Earlier, the agency claimed that handwritten accounts belonging to Veena indicated she managed funds beyond her known income sources, including amounts transferred to Dubai and approximately Rs 20.05 crore maintained in Indian rupees.

Responding to the allegations last month, Vijayan, who is now the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala assembly and a CPI(M) politburo member, maintained his innocence. "My hands are clean, and I have full confidence that neither my daughter nor any of my family members have engaged in any hawala dealings," he said. He also questioned the ED's claims, asserting that Veena was facing unusual scrutiny because of her relationship to him, and noted her cooperation with the investigation.