ED seeks FIR against Kerala ex-CM Pinarayi Vijayan, daughter and son-in-law in CMRL case
KOCHI: ED on Tuesday approached the Kerala DGP seeking registration of an FIR against former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan , his daughter T Veena and son-in-law P A Mohammed Riyas in the CMRL-linked alleged bribery case, according to news agency PTI.
According to PTI, the agency's request was made through a communication issued under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), citing findings from its investigation into the case.
Under Section 66(2) of the anti-money laundering law, the ED can share findings from its criminal investigation with a law enforcement agency for registration of a fresh FIR or complaint. A police case can then form the basis for the ED to register a PMLA case.
According to sources, the ED has asked the Kerala DGP to register a police FIR against Vijayan, Veena, Riyas and some others. The request is based on "evidences" recovered during the agency's probe and searches carried out under the PMLA.
The agency has alleged that Kerala-based mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) made fraudulent payments amounting to Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct firm, Exalogic Solutions. The payments were allegedly made under the guise of "IT consultancy services".
The ED had searched premises linked to Veena in June and later questioned her. At the time, she was living with Vijayan in rented accommodation in Thiruvananthapuram.
In a statement issued in August, the agency said searches against Veena had resulted in the seizure of some "handwritten" notes. According to the ED, the notes contained details of certain fund transfers to Dubai.
Riyas, who is Veena's husband and a CPI(M) leader, had said that he and the party would deal with the ED case through political and legal means. He was referring to the searches carried out at their homes and at businesses of people linked to them.
CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan expressed a similar view and alleged that the ED was now attempting to target Riyas.
Vijayan has described the ED case against his daughter as a political vendetta.
According to PTI, the agency's request was made through a communication issued under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), citing findings from its investigation into the case.
Under Section 66(2) of the anti-money laundering law, the ED can share findings from its criminal investigation with a law enforcement agency for registration of a fresh FIR or complaint. A police case can then form the basis for the ED to register a PMLA case.
According to sources, the ED has asked the Kerala DGP to register a police FIR against Vijayan, Veena, Riyas and some others. The request is based on "evidences" recovered during the agency's probe and searches carried out under the PMLA.
The agency has alleged that Kerala-based mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) made fraudulent payments amounting to Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct firm, Exalogic Solutions. The payments were allegedly made under the guise of "IT consultancy services".
The ED had searched premises linked to Veena in June and later questioned her. At the time, she was living with Vijayan in rented accommodation in Thiruvananthapuram.
In a statement issued in August, the agency said searches against Veena had resulted in the seizure of some "handwritten" notes. According to the ED, the notes contained details of certain fund transfers to Dubai.
Riyas, who is Veena's husband and a CPI(M) leader, had said that he and the party would deal with the ED case through political and legal means. He was referring to the searches carried out at their homes and at businesses of people linked to them.
CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan expressed a similar view and alleged that the ED was now attempting to target Riyas.
Vijayan has described the ED case against his daughter as a political vendetta.
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