Kerala Vigilance registers two cases over CMRL payments

Kerala’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered two cases following a High Court direction to investigate allegations involving payments from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited to Exalogic Solutions, a company owned by Veena Vijayan, the daughter of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Pinarayi Vijayan and former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas were named first accused in separate cases, while Veena was named in both, according to reports on the FIRs. The cases concern distinct allegations summarized in a report by the Enforcement Directorate and referred to by the High Court. The first examines alleged monthly payments from CMRL to Exalogic and names Pinarayi Vijayan as the first accused. The second concerns alleged corruption proceeds involving Riyas, who is Veena’s husband, and names him first accused. The Enforcement Directorate alleged that CMRL paid Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic under the guise of IT consultancy services. It also alleged hawala transactions involving Riyas. These are allegations under investigation, not findings of guilt.