ED summons Pinarayi Vijayan on October 23 in CMRL-Exalogic money laundering case

The ED has alleged that CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions, the now-defunct company of Vijayan's daughter Veena T, in the guise of IT consultancy fees.

In Short

• Summons demands details of Vijayan's bank accounts, assets, tax returns and financial links
• CPI(M) criticises summons pasting method, says Vijayan attending party meet
• ED alleges Rs 2.78 crore paid fraudulently to Vijayan's daughter's firm Exalogic

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Kerala Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning on October 23 in the CMRL-Exalogic money laundering case, seeking details of his bank accounts, assets, tax returns and financial links to the company.

The summons, issued on Friday, also seeks details of funds received by Vijayan, his family members or connected persons from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), Shashidhar Kartha or anyone associated with the company. His statement will be recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

An ED official pasted the two-page summons outside Vijayan’s residence near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, PTI reported. Vijayan was not at home.

BANK ACCOUNTS, ASSETS UNDER SCRUTINY

The agency has asked Vijayan to furnish details of bank accounts and fixed deposits held by him and associated entities in India and abroad.

It has also sought documents relating to movable and immovable assets and bank lockers, along with income tax returns for the financial years 2016 to 2026.

The summons asks for details of entities linked to Vijayan and his family members in India and abroad, including investments in them.

CPI(M) QUESTIONS PASTING OF SUMMONS

Senior CPI(M) leader V Sivankutty criticised the manner in which the summons was served, saying Vijayan was attending a party conference in Kannur and was not absconding.

“He went from here to Alappuzha and then to Kannur. After completing a two-day meeting, he will return to Thiruvananthapuram. If they wanted, they could have served the notice directly to him,” PTI quoted him as saying.

Sivankutty said an ED official initially visited the residence alone but left after finding Vijayan absent. The official later returned and asked staff to witness the pasting of the summons, but they refused, he said. ED officials then returned with police personnel and pasted it, according to his account.

Officials told PTI that the summons was pasted to ensure Vijayan received it and appeared for questioning.

Sivankutty argued that the agency should await the Supreme Court’s decision on Vijayan’s challenge to the Kerala High Court order that led to the FIRs. Asked whether Vijayan would appear, he said the leader would decide.

CASE LINKED TO PAYMENTS TO DAUGHTER’S FIRM

The ED has alleged that CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions, the now-defunct company of Vijayan’s daughter Veena T, in the guise of IT consultancy fees.

The agency had earlier said handwritten notes seized during searches linked to Veena contained details of certain fund transfers to Dubai.

On October 9, the Kerala High Court directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register a case based on material the ED had submitted to the state police.

The bureau registered two FIRs on October 12 against Vijayan and family members, including Veena and his son-in-law, former minister P A Mohamed Riyas, in connection with the alleged CMRL bribery case. The ED subsequently registered a money laundering case based on the police FIR.

Vijayan moved the Supreme Court on Friday against the High Court order.

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(With inputs from Shibimol KG)