What’s Behind the ED's FIR Request Against Kerala's Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Family?

Enforcement Directorate Targets Pinarayi Vijayan's Family

Kochi/New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reached out to the Director General of Police (DGP) in Kerala, requesting the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, and son-in-law P A Mohammed Riyas. This action is linked to an alleged bribery case associated with the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), according to official sources on Tuesday.

The ED's communication, sent under section 66 (2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), highlights findings from its ongoing investigation. This provision allows the ED to share its investigative results with law enforcement for the purpose of filing a new FIR or complaint. The agency can initiate a PMLA case based on the police report.

The agency is urging the Kerala DGP to register a police FIR against Vijayan, Veena, Riyas, and others, based on evidence obtained during their investigation and searches conducted under the PMLA.

The ED alleges that the mining company CMRL made fraudulent payments totaling Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct business, Exalogic Solutions, disguised as 'IT consultancy services.' In June, the agency conducted raids at Veena's residence in Thiruvananthapuram, where she was living with Vijayan, and subsequently interrogated her.

In a statement released in August, the ED mentioned that 'handwritten' notes were seized during the searches, which included details of fund transfers to Dubai.

Riyas, who is also a leader in the CPI(M), stated that he and his party would address the ED's case both politically and legally, including the searches at their residences and the businesses of associates.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan echoed this sentiment, asserting that the ED appears to be targeting Riyas specifically.

Vijayan has characterized the ED's actions against his daughter as a politically motivated attack.