Kerala orders preliminary probe into Pinarayi Vijayan and family over money laundering allegations

The state government in Kerala has recommended an official inquiry against former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, and his son-in-law Muhammed Riyas under the Prevention of Corruption Act. This move follows a report submitted earlier this month by the Enforcement Directorate, which has been investigating allegations that Veena's IT company, Exalogic Solutions, received illegal payments from a Kochi-based firm named Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited, known as CMRL.

Legal Action

The Home Department sought legal advice from Advocate General K Jaju Babu, who confirmed there are sufficient grounds to move forward with a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala discussed the matter with Chief Minister V D Satheesan before the department made its decision. Sources indicate that the crime branch wing of the state police will start with a preliminary investigation based on the ED report, and a decision on registering a formal FIR will come after that initial check is complete.

Financial Claims

The Income Tax Department originally uncovered the payments made during Vijayan's first term in office. The Enforcement Directorate claims that CMRL paid Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions as IT consultancy fees without receiving any actual services in return. Investigators also allege that Vijayan collected Rs 3.28 crore as a bribe from CMRL through his daughter, pointing to a purported statement from the former chief financial officer of CMRL. Furthermore, the agency claims that Riyas helped transfer bribe money to Dubai through hawala routes, prompting searches at Vijayan's premises and eight locations tied to local CPI(M) leaders in Kozhikode district.

Responses

Pinarayi Vijayan has denied all the allegations and stated that his hands are clean. Muhammed Riyas, who is also a CPI(M) leader, remarked that they are not afraid of any probe, will fight the issue legally and politically, and maintain that the innocent will remain unaffected.