ED Letter Against Pinarayi Vijayan To Be Legally Scrutinised, Says Kerala CM

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought registration of an FIR against former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, son-in-law P A Mohammed Riyas and others in connection with the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) pay-off case, marking a significant escalation in the long-running controversy surrounding payments made to Veena's now-defunct IT firm, Exalogic Solutions.

The ED has sent a detailed report to the Kerala Director General of Police seeking a separate case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, based on evidence gathered during its money-laundering investigation. The agency alleges that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) paid around ₹2.78 crore to Exalogic in the guise of IT consultancy fees, despite allegedly receiving no corresponding services. The payments were made during Vijayan's first term as Chief Minister and were initially brought to light through an Income Tax investigation.

According to the ED, its subsequent searches and investigation uncovered digital evidence, financial records and statements indicating a wider alleged pay-off arrangement. The agency has claimed that Vijayan allegedly received ₹3.28 crore from CMRL through Veena, while Riyas was allegedly involved in the receipt and transfer of funds to Dubai through Veena and others. The ED has also cited handwritten accounts recording about ₹20.05 crore in Indian transactions and 3.49 lakh UAE dirhams, or roughly ₹85 lakh, allegedly transferred to Dubai through hawala channels.

The ED's request does not mean an FIR has already been registered or that the allegations have been proven in court. The final decision rests with Kerala Police and the state government. Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has said the ED's letter will be legally scrutinised before any decision is taken and that the law will take its course.

Vijayan has denied wrongdoing and rejected the allegations concerning his family. The case now awaits the Kerala government's legal examination before further action is taken.