Thrissur: CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday rejected allegations linked to the Directorate of Enforcement's (ED) probe into financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, asserting that neither he nor any member of his family had engaged in hawala dealings.
Defending his daughter, Veena T, the Keralam former Chief Minister said she had fully cooperated with the ED's investigation and would continue to provide any information sought by the agency.
"Neither I, my daughter nor any member of my family has done any hawala dealings. I am fully convinced about that. These hands are clean and will remain clean," Vijayan told reporters.
'Veena is being targeted because she is my daughter'
The former chief minister alleged that several accusations were being made against Veena solely because of her relationship with him.
"Veena is not the owner of a lot of property. The amount of money being talked about is also not huge," he said.
Vijayan also questioned what he described as unusual conduct by the ED, noting that the agency typically uploads investigation-related information to its website instead of issuing press releases.
"In this case, a press release was issued. In the press release, it mentioned my name as P Vijayan. It also says former chief minister. Why was it necessary to say that?" he asked.
He further criticised media reports alleging that money received by Veena had been transferred to the bank account of her husband, former state minister Mohammed Riyas.
"On what evidence was the news that Veena transferred the money to Mohammed Riyas' account published? Do they think anything can be done if it is against Pinarayi Vijayan?" he said.
What is the ED case?
The ED is investigating alleged financial transactions between Keralam-based mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, a company promoted by Veena that has since become defunct.
The agency alleges that CMRL paid ₹2.78 crore to Exalogic without receiving any services in return.
The money laundering case has been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on a prosecution complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) before a court in Kochi.
ED's recent claims
Vijayan's remarks came two days after the ED said it had seized handwritten notes during searches at Veena's premises in May, which allegedly contained details of certain fund transfers to Dubai.
The agency has questioned Veena and several members of the CMRL board as part of the ongoing investigation.
In a statement issued on August 19, the ED also claimed that digital devices seized during the searches contained a photograph of a SIM card obtained in another person's name, which Veena allegedly used for internet-based calls.
The agency said it conducted fresh searches on August 18 in Kozhikode targeting people named in the handwritten accounts and the person who allegedly provided the SIM card.