VD Satheesan Rejects CPM Charge Over Pinarayi ED Case

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has rejected the CPI(M)’s allegation that the Congress-led state government is colluding with the Centre over the Enforcement Directorate’s action against former Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan in the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case.

Satheesan said the government would allow the legal process to take its course, as political tensions intensified after the ED sought registration of an FIR against Vijayan, his daughter T Veena and son-in-law P.A. Mohammed Riyas under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Satheesan Rejects CPM’s Allegation

The Chief Minister’s response comes a day after CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan accused the ED of politically targeting Vijayan and Riyas. The CPI(M) has described the central agency’s action as politically motivated and questioned the role of the Congress-led government in the matter.

Satheesan rejected the suggestion of any understanding between the Congress-led Kerala government and the Centre, maintaining that the government would follow the law in dealing with the ED communication.

The ED has formally approached the Kerala Director General of Police seeking registration of a separate FIR in connection with its findings in the CMRL-linked case.

ED Seeks FIR Against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas

The ED has asked the Kerala Police to register a case against Pinarayi Vijayan, T Veena, Mohammed Riyas and others under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The agency’s request relates to alleged payments made by CMRL to Veena’s IT company, Exalogic Solutions. According to the ED, Exalogic received around ₹2.78 crore from CMRL as consultancy payments despite allegedly not providing the claimed services.

The agency has also alleged that its investigation uncovered evidence pointing to a wider financial trail and alleged hawala transactions. These are allegations by the investigating agency and have not been established as offences by a court.

Vijayan Denies Hawala Allegations

Pinarayi Vijayan has rejected allegations against himself and his family.

He has previously said that his “hands are clean” and that neither he nor his family members were involved in hawala dealings. Vijayan has also argued that his daughter was subjected to unusual scrutiny because of her relationship with him.

The latest ED request therefore comes amid a continuing dispute over both the substance of the allegations and the manner in which the investigation is being pursued.

CPI(M) Accuses ED of Political Motive

The CPI(M) has mounted a strong political defence of Vijayan and Riyas.

Party state secretary M.V. Govindan has accused the ED of attempting to create narratives against senior CPI(M) leaders and described the agency’s action as politically motivated.

The party has also questioned whether the Congress-led government will act on the ED’s request, given that the state police come under the Home Department of the state government.

The CPI(M)’s allegations of political targeting are claims by the party and have not been independently established.

Congress Government to Examine ED Request

The ED’s request has placed the Congress-led state government in a politically sensitive position.

State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has said the government will examine the communication received from the central agency. The final decision on registering an FIR rests with the state police after considering the ED’s report and applicable law.

This has given the issue a dual political and legal dimension, with the CPI(M) accusing the government of cooperating with the Centre while the Congress maintains that the investigation must be dealt with according to law.

CMRL Case Has Been Under ED Probe

The case stems from investigations into financial transactions involving CMRL and Exalogic Solutions.

The ED’s investigation followed earlier scrutiny by the Income Tax Department and other agencies. In May, the central agency conducted searches at locations connected with the case, including premises linked to Pinarayi Vijayan. The Kerala High Court had also allowed the ED investigation to continue after dismissing a petition seeking to quash the proceedings.

The ED has now sought a separate police FIR based on material it says emerged during its investigation.

Legal Process Now in Focus

The latest development does not amount to a conviction or a judicial finding of wrongdoing against Vijayan, Veena or Riyas.

The ED has made allegations and requested registration of a case. The Kerala Police and, subsequently, the courts will determine how the matter proceeds.

For Satheesan’s government, the immediate challenge is to demonstrate that the decision-making process is based on law rather than political considerations. For the CPI(M), the issue has become another point of confrontation with both the central agencies and the Congress-led state administration.

As the ED’s request is examined, the political battle in Kerala is likely to continue alongside the legal process.