Veena T., daughter of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was questioned for almost ten hours by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday as part of its investigation into financial dealings between her company, Exalogic Solutions, and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. (CMRL).
Veena reached the ED office in Kochi at around 10.30 a.m. accompanied by her husband and former minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, who left after dropping her off. The interrogation continued until nearly 8 p.m.
Security was tightened around the ED office in view of the sensitivity of the case and following the attack on ED personnel after searches conducted at Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence on May 27.
According to sources, investigators sought details regarding the use of the ₹2.78 crore allegedly paid by CMRL to Exalogic, the circumstances under which the transactions took place, and a ₹50 lakh loan obtained from Empower India Capital Investments Pvt Ltd, where Jaya Kartha serves as a director.
Officials are also examining Veena’s assets to determine whether any properties or investments were acquired using funds that are under scrutiny. If such links are established, the agency may move to attach those assets.
The ED recently secured permission from a special court in Kochi to access documents collected by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), which form a crucial part of the money laundering probe. However, sources said the agency is still awaiting 134 documents linked to the SFIO report.
Veena had initially been asked to appear before the agency on June 12, but cited health issues and sought more time. She was subsequently issued a fresh summons and appeared on June 17.
The investigation is based largely on the SFIO’s findings that Exalogic received substantial payments from CMRL for services that were allegedly not provided. Following searches at several locations on May 27, the ED froze 242 bank accounts holding ₹18.36 crore in connection with the case. One of those accounts belongs to Veena, a fact earlier acknowledged by Pinarayi Vijayan.
So far, the agency has also questioned CMRL managing director Saran S. Kartha, along with Jaya Kartha and Shibi Kartha, wife and daughter respectively of businessman Sashidharan Kartha.
