Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in Kerala on Monday registered 2 FIRs against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband and Beypore MLA P A Muhammad Riyas, in connection with an alleged bribery case linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).
According to sources, the VACB's Special Investigation Unit-1 registered the cases following a Kerala High Court order dated October 9. The court issued the order based on a report submitted by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) to the state police.
The 2 cases concern separate allegations outlined in the ED report, including payments allegedly made by CMRL to Veena and funds allegedly transferred abroad through hawala channels in connection with payments involving Riyas, an MLA and Vijayan's son-in-law, sources said.
The FIRs have been registered under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, officials said.
Vijayan has been named as the first accused in the case concerning alleged illegal payments, while Riyas is the first accused in the case relating to the alleged transfer of money abroad, sources said.
The ED had sought the registration of cases based on evidence gathered during its investigation and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The agency 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.
