The CPI(M) Polit Bureau has warned the Kerala government that it will strongly oppose any move to register a case against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena, and his son-in-law and former minister Muhammad Riyas at the direction of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
On September 8, the ED sent the Kerala State Police Chief a 25-page report seeking FIRs under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Vijayan, Riyas, Veena and several other persons and entities. Submitted under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the report alleged that Vijayan received ₹3.28 crore in bribes from controversial firm CMRL through Veena. The ED had earlier claimed that central agencies had found evidence of Veena receiving ₹2.78 crore from controversial firm CMRL without rendering any services, as well as another ₹50 lakh as a loan from Empower India Capital Investment Pvt Ltd, which is operated by CMRL promoters. In August, the ED claimed that it also had found evidence of money transfers through hawala channels allegedly linked to Veena and Riyas. The agency also claimed that it had seized handwritten accounts allegedly maintained by Veena that contained the names of individuals, amounts handled or spent, and details of money transferred to Dubai.
According to the ED, the notes showed transfers of about AED 3.49 lakh to Dubai, equivalent to approximately ₹85 lakh. The ED also claimed that accounts maintained in Indian rupees amounted to about ₹20.05 crore.
The ED has also said that digital devices seized from Veena contained a photograph of a SIM card issued in another person’s name for use in a Wi-Fi router. The agency suspects that the SIM card and router were obtained in another person’s name to facilitate communication through internet-based calls. In its latest report to the DGP, the ED alleged that Riyas transferred bribes he received to Dubai through Veena and his known associates.
Meanwhile, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau denounced the ED’s move to ask the Kerala Police to register FIRs against Vijayan, Riyas, Veena and others. “It was evident from the outset that the investigation against Smt. Veena was only a pretext to target the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This is typical of the way the central agencies are being used by the Modi government to target opposition leaders,” the party’s press communique said.
The CPI(M) also condemned the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president for endorsing the ED’s actions. “This exposes the double standards of the Congress party. The same Congress opposes the ED’s actions against many of its leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.”
“It may be recalled that previously a Congress MLA from Kerala had gone to the Vigilance Court, the High Court and later even to the Supreme Court to get a case registered against Pinarayi Vijayan. But the courts had rejected his plea in this matter. It is this case that is sought to be foisted now,” the party’s communique said.
The Polit Bureau warned the Satheesan government “not to act as an agent of the ED”. The party also said it would oppose “this political vendetta with all its resources, politically and legally”.
