CMRL pay-off case: ED recommends police case against Pinarayi, Veena, Riyas

Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recommended that the state police register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act against former chief minister and opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan , his daughter T Veena, and her husband and former minister P A Mohamed Riyas in connection with the alleged CMRL pay-off case. In a detailed 25-page report submitted to state police chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar, the ED has reportedly set out the alleged role of each person and entity in the suspected bribery transactions. The agency has also reportedly enclosed evidence gathered during its probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and sought registration of an FIR based on its findings. The ED's communication was made under Section 66(2) of the PMLA, which enables it to share information gathered during a money-laundering investigation with other law-enforcement agencies for appropriate action. It is reliably learned that the state police chief will forward the ED's recommendation to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) through the govt. The VACB is likely to register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, as the Supreme Court's Lalita Kumari judgment requires registration of an FIR when information discloses the commission of a cognizable offence. Sources said the ED has alleged that Vijayan received Rs 3.28 crore as bribe from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) through Veena. The agency reportedly bases the allegation, among other things, on the statement of former CMRL chief financial officer and chief general manager (finance) P Suresh Kumar. It also accuses Riyas of receiving bribes and transferring the funds to Dubai through Veena and known associates. The ED has alleged that Veena assisted both Vijayan and Riyas in collecting and routing the alleged bribe funds to Dubai. Veena's defunct company, Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, has also been named in the report. Based on its finding that Exalogic received payments for which no genuine services or deliverables were rendered, the ED describes the company as a 'corporate vehicle used for routing sham payments'. The agency has reportedly held CMRL MD S N Sasidharan Kartha responsible for the payment of bribes. Suresh Kumar has been accused of assisting in the payment of bribes. The ED's description of Suresh Kumar is significant as his statement is cited in support of the allegation that a payment was made to Vijayan through Veena. The ED has alleged that Empower India Capital Investments Pvt Ltd was an entity used to transfer bribes. The company's connection to Exalogic had already come under scrutiny, with ED reports stating that it had extended loans totalling Rs 50 lakh to Exalogic while the agency was examining the financial relationship between the two entities. The ED's list also names a group of individuals whom it alleges assisted Veena and Riyas in collecting and transferring bribe funds. They include P P Shaijal alias Shyjal Mahammed, P Nikhil, Waris alias Hassan Varish, Faijaz V P and Nandulal M. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news. Download the TOI App.