ED summons Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL money laundering case on Oct 23
The summons comes amid a legal battle over FIR registration and criticism of the UDF govt's handling of the alleged bribery case involving Vijayan's daughter Veena's company
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning in a money laundering investigation linked to CMRL on October 23, officials said on Friday.
Also read | Kerala HC orders FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan in alleged CMRL bribery case
The summons have been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), under which the central agency registered a case after taking cognisance of a recent state police FIR in the matter, they said.
Kerala HC directs FIR registration
Vijayan, 81, has been asked to appear before the ED at its Kochi office on October 23, officials said.
The Keralam Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) recently registered two FIRs against Vijayan and his family members in connection with the alleged CMRL bribery case.
The Kerala High Court on October 9 directed the VACB to register a case based on a report the ED submitted to the state police. Before the single judge issued the order, the state government had decided to conduct a preliminary inquiry instead of registering an FIR against Vijayan and his family.
The central agency sought case registration based on evidence gathered during its investigation and searches conducted under the anti-money laundering law.
The ED alleged that CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Vijayan’s daughter Veena’s now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions, under the guise of IT consultancy services.
On Friday, Vijayan moved the Supreme Court challenging the Kerala High Court order for the FIR’s registration.
Congress leaders question UDF stand
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jinto John on Friday criticised the UDF government for deciding to conduct a preliminary inquiry instead of registering an FIR against Vijayan and his family in the alleged CMRL bribery case.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Jinto John questioned what he described as the Congress leadership's apparent change of stand on corruption allegations and its approach towards political opponents.
Also read | CMRL-Exalogic case: VACB files 2 FIRs against Pinarayi, daughter, son-in-law
John referred to the arrests of youth and student leaders during the previous government and alleged that Mathew Kuzhalnadan was targeted for demanding a Vigilance inquiry into alleged corruption involving Vijayan's family.
Questioning the government's decision to conduct a preliminary inquiry, John said it was appropriate not to rush into registering a case based solely on an ED letter. However, he warned that excessive delay could raise suspicions, particularly when those facing allegations were unable to convincingly answer the charges.
Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan also questioned the government's decision. At a press conference on Thursday, he said that since both a single judge and a division bench observed that a preliminary inquiry was unnecessary after the ED provided the information, the government should reconsider its stand if needed.
(With agency inputs)