Kochi: Veena T, daughter of former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, appeared before the enforcement directorate (ED) regional office in Kochi on Wednesday in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic case. Veena, who arrived at the office around 10.30am, left at 8pm. The questioning is learnt to have lasted for over nine hours.
Security tightened at ED office
Security at the ED office was tightened on Wednesday morning in view of the incidents reported during the agency’s recent search at the house of Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram. Veena arrived at the office along with her husband and MLA P A Mohamed Riyas, who left the premises after dropping her off.
Allegations of payments without services
The investigation pertains to allegations that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) made payments amounting to Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions without receiving any services in return. According to the ED, Empower India Capital Investments Private Ltd (EICPL), operated by CMRL managing director Sasidharan Kartha, had extended loans worth Rs 50 lakh to Exalogic despite the company allegedly failing to make timely repayments.
First appearance before ED
This was Veena’s first appearance before ED. The central agency had initially summoned her on June 12, but she informed the agency that she could not appear due to health reasons. A fresh summons was subsequently issued, directing her to appear on Wednesday.
Veena did not respond to questions from the media while leaving the ED office. Reports said the agency collected information regarding her assets during the interrogation.
Other family members questioned
On Tuesday, CMRL managing director Sasidharan Kartha’s wife Jaya S Kartha and son Saran S Kartha, appeared before the ED at its Kochi zonal office in connection with the case. On Monday, the agency questioned his daughter Shibi Kartha.
ED freezes Rs 18.36 crore
Last month, the ED froze around Rs 18.36 crore spread across 242 bank accounts following searches at nearly 12 premises, including those linked to Vijayan as part of the investigation. The agency said it had recovered incriminating records, digital evidence and documents relating to substantial investments.
SFIO probe and document access
The ED probe follows an investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). The agency recently obtained permission from a court in Kochi to access documents collected by the SFIO, which are likely to be handed over to the ED in the coming days.
