ED’s major move: Scrutiny of hundreds of documents concerning Veena Vijayan
KOCHI: After nine hours of questioning regarding the monthly payment case, Veena Vijayan left the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Kadavanthra, Kochi, late Wednesday night. Veena did not speak to the media, and it is expected that the ED may summon her again for further questioning.
The ED questioned Veena Vijayan following a meticulous investigation, a review of hundreds of documents, and thorough preparation. The agency gathered information ranging from Exalogic Solutions’ transactions to Veena’s assets. The matter originated from an Income Tax Department probe into CMRL’s financial transactions in Kochi between 2013 and 2018. The Income Tax Interim Settlement Board found that funds were transferred to Veena’s firm for services that were never rendered, while other amounts were disbursed as loans. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) investigated the transfer of ₹2.78 crore to Exalogic and submitted a report to the court; the ED’s probe is based on the findings of the SFIO investigation. Last April, the ED questioned Chief Financial Officer K.S. Sureshkumar, Senior Manager N.C. Chandrasekharan, Senior Officer Anju Raphael Kuruvila, Senior Finance Manager P. Sureshkumar, and former cashier V. Vasudevan. After the High Court’s single bench dismissed a petition filed by CMRL to halt the ED investigation, raids were conducted on May 27 at the rented house in Thiruvananthapuram where Veena resides with her father, Pinarayi Vijayan. The central agency also raided Pinarayi’s residence in Kannur and the home of Veena’s husband, Muhammed Riyas, in Kozhikode. Assets belonging to Veena Vijayan worth a total of ₹18.36 crore (including a sum of ₹1.5 lakh) were frozen. Documents related to financial transactions carried out by CMRL over the past 15 years were seized. Notices were issued to nine individuals, including Veena Vijayan, requiring them to appear for questioning. Over the last three days, CMRL Joint Managing Director Sharan S. Kartha, his mother Jaya S. Kartha, and his sister Shibi S. Kartha were questioned. The ED is questioning Veena based on the Income Tax Department’s report, the complaint filed by Shon George with the SFIO, the SFIO charge sheet, supporting documents, and other evidence. Veena Vijayan arrived at the ED office in Kadavanthra in a black Innova Crysta car, accompanied by her husband, MLA Mohammed Riyas. Only Veena was permitted to enter the office. She had arrived in Kochi on Tuesday evening and received a notice to appear at 10:30 AM. Her car reached the ED office at 10:26 AM. Veena was seated in the back seat, with a shawl draped over her head and wearing a black mask; her husband, Mohammed Riyas, was also seated in the rear. The CISF was responsible for security at the ED office gate, and additional personnel had been deployed. A police contingent was stationed on the road. CISF personnel escorted Veena inside the office; she signed the summons after reviewing it. The media attempted to speak with Riyas, but he appeared reluctant to respond. Police prevented crowds from gathering, although local media personnel had assembled there to report on the event.
