The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is all set to move the Kerala High Court if the state government delays the registration of an FIR in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic case involving Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena Vijayan and P.A. Mohammed Riyas. A similar step had reportedly been taken by the ED in Tamil Nadu some time ago.
Meanwhile, there are reports that the state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the charges against Pinarayi Vijayan, P.A. Mohammed Riyas and Veena Vijayan.
The team to conduct the preliminary investigation is likely to be led by the Crime Branch ADGP (Additional Director General of Police). They may seek the details of the case from the ED. The hawala transactions mentioned in the ED’s letter to the state of Keralam are also likely to be looked into.
The UDF Government has reportedly asked the team to complete the investigation in a month. The decision to leave the investigation to the State Police Chief was taken after a meeting between Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar (Director General of Police – DGP) has reportedly been given a carte blanche regarding the modalities of the investigation.
The decision to proceed with the case was taken after receiving legal advice from the state Advocate General and state Director General of Prosecution. All charges mentioned in the ED’s letter are likely to come under the investigation. The ED’s findings against Pinarayi Vijayan, Mohammed Riyas and Veena Vijayan are likely to come under the scope of the investigation. The Crime Branch team is likely to collect all charges against the three and the statements they have made.
That Pinarayi Vijayan got a bribe of Rs 3.28 crore from CMRL as a monthly payment and that Mohammed Riyas made hawala transactions are the allegations. The Special Investigation Team will enquire into everything, including the hawala operations.
In the meantime, the CPM and CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) have resolved to oppose the government which supports the ED’s moves.
BJP leader V. Muraleedharan alleged that the investigation by the Crime Branch seems to be about protecting Pinarayi Vijayan and his family instead of cracking the case. He said the ED’s letter to the state government had alleged that Veena Vijayan received money from CMRL on behalf of her father, Pinarayi Vijayan. The former Union Minister demanded a CBI investigation into the case.
Critics argue that after the ED recommended registration of an FIR following its enquiry and investigation, the UDF Government has instead initiated another inquiry by the Crime Branch without an FIR.
