Amid heightened security around the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Kochi, Veena T., daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, appeared before the central agency on Wednesday for questioning in connection with its money laundering investigation linked to financial dealings between her IT company, Exalogic Solutions, and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. (CMRL).
Veena reached the ED office accompanied by her husband, Mohammed Riyas, who left after dropping her at the premises. Tight police security was deployed following an incident on May 27 when ED officials were allegedly attacked by a crowd after conducting searches linked to the case.
Investigators are expected to seek explanations regarding the transactions between Exalogic and CMRL, including the utilisation of ₹2.78 crore that the agency alleges was received by Exalogic without providing corresponding services. The circumstances surrounding the payments are also likely to come under scrutiny.
In the course of the investigation, the ED has already questioned Saran S. Kartha, managing director of CMRL and son of businessman Sashidharan Kartha, along with Shibi Kartha and Jaya Kartha, the businessman’s daughter and wife respectively.
Veena had earlier been summoned on June 12 but informed the agency that she could not appear due to health issues. Subsequently, the ED issued a fresh notice directing her to appear on June 17.
Following searches conducted at multiple locations on May 27, the ED alleged that CMRL management generated proceeds of crime and paid bribes to several individuals. The agency has also claimed that Exalogic received payments from CMRL without rendering services in return.
Recently, the ED secured permission from a special court in Kochi to access documents gathered by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), whose findings form a significant part of the ongoing probe. According to the SFIO, Exalogic received substantial sums from CMRL for services that were allegedly never provided.
Investigators are now examining whether any assets were purchased using the funds under scrutiny. If such assets are found to be linked to proceeds of crime, the agency may move to attach and confiscate them as part of the money laundering investigation.
