The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued another summons to Veena Vijayan, daughter of CPM supremo Pinarayi Vijayan, as she informed the agency of her inability to appear for interrogation on June 17. The first summons had asked her to appear before ED officials in Kochi on June 12. However, Veena sent an email to the ED officials explaining her inability to appear on June 12 due to “health problems”.
The summons are in connection with the monthly pay-offs she allegedly received from the CMRL company without rendering any services. The payments amount to ₹2.78 crore between 2018 and 2019. Both the SFIO and the ED have alleged that these payments were not straightforward transactions and were routed as payments for IT and marketing consultancy services that were never actually rendered.
Meanwhile, Veena has reportedly informed the ED that she would furnish the required documents through her lawyers on June 12. However, citing the seriousness and complexity of the case, the ED has sought her personal appearance for interrogation rather than representation through lawyers.
Reports suggest that Saran S. Kartha, son of CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha, and others have been asked to appear before the ED on June 15.
Veena appears to be playing the same game that senior CPM leaders have allegedly adopted in the past. Back in 2016, senior CPM leader P. Jayarajan reportedly cited chest pain while facing a CBI enquiry in connection with the murder of an RSS leader in Thalassery, Kannur district. Legal experts opine that Veena cannot prolong this hide-and-seek any further.
Case Background
The case relates to alleged financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a company owned by Veena Vijayan. According to findings by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), Exalogic allegedly received approximately ₹2.7–2.8 crore from CMRL between 2017 and 2020 under agreements for IT and consultancy services. Investigators have alleged that no corresponding services were provided despite the payments.
Based on the SFIO findings, the Enforcement Directorate registered a money-laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The SFIO complaint reportedly named Veena Vijayan, Exalogic Solutions, CMRL officials, and others as accused, alleging violations of provisions of the Companies Act.
