The Keralam government directed on Tuesday that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be formed to probe the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) -Exalogic financial irregularities case involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and son-in-law P A Muhammad Riyas.
The decision was taken following a crucial meeting between Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
The home minsiter then tasked Director General of Police (DGP) Ravada Chandrasekhar with the formation of the SIT to be led by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Crime Branch. The government has decided to conduct a preliminary investigation without the filing of a First Information Report (FIR).
The move comes after the state government accepted the recommendation of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that a case be registered to probe the alleged financial irregularities. The ED had sent a letter to the DGP seeking registration of an FIR against Vijayan, his daughter Veena and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas, along with some others, in connection with the alleged bribery case.
The request was based on "evidence" gathered during the agency's probe and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED has alleged that CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions, under the guise of "IT consultancy services".
Vijayan had rubbished ED allegations against him as "old allegations in a new script" and alleged that the agency was attempting to turn the law into a political weapon.
(With inputs from PTI)