ED summons Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL money laundering probe
Former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear for questioning in connection with an investigation linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).
According to officials, Vijayan has been asked to appear at the agency’s Kochi office on October 23. The summons were issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following developments in a related case registered by Kerala’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).
The state vigilance agency recently registered two FIRs involving Vijayan and members of his family over allegations connected to the CMRL matter. The action followed an October 9 Kerala High Court order directing the agency to register a case based on material submitted by the ED.
The central agency has alleged that CMRL transferred Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions, a now-defunct company associated with Vijayan’s daughter Veena, describing the payments as purported consultancy fees. The allegations concern whether the transactions were legitimate or concealed payments.
Vijayan has challenged the High Court’s direction to register the FIR before the Supreme Court. The investigation and related legal proceedings are ongoing, and the allegations remain subject to examination through the judicial process.