Published Aug 22, 2026 | 2:49 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2026 | 2:49 PM
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Synopsis: He pointed out that the ED press release referred to Veena as the “daughter of former Chief Minister Pinarayi” and questioned the relevance of mentioning his name in a release concerning the investigation.
Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly denied any hawala transactions involving his daughter T. Veena or his family, while questioning the Enforcement Directorate’s decision to name him in its press release on the CMRL-Exalogic investigation.
Pinarayi said the ED was taking “strange measures” because Veena is his daughter and questioned whether the agency normally issues such press releases in individual cases.
“If Pinarayi Vijayan is involved, they think anything can be said. The media is creating news. What evidence has the investigation team received? The ED’s target is me,” Pinarayi said at a press conference.
Also Read: ED alleges hawala money transfers by T. Veena; Congress calls it ‘extremely serious’ charge
He pointed out that the ED press release referred to Veena as the “daughter of former Chief Minister Pinarayi” and questioned the relevance of mentioning his name in a release concerning the investigation.
Pinarayi said Veena was not a wealthy person and that neither she, he nor any member of his family had been involved in #hawala transactions.
He added that Veena had cooperated with the investigation and would provide any further information required.
“I am completely convinced. My daughter, my family and I have not been involved in any hawala transaction,” he said.
Recalling the Lavalin case, Pinarayi said he had faced a CBI investigation based on allegations that he had received crores of rupees when he visited Kannur in 1996, with the complainant claiming that he could later become the Electricity Minister.
He said he and his colleagues had fully cooperated with the investigation and that the CBI had ultimately been convinced of his position.
Pinarayi also accused some people of trying for a long time to find ways to implicate him.
He said there was no objection to investigating complaints through the appropriate agencies, but questioned what he described as unusual action in the case involving his daughter.
“These hands have always been clean. They will continue to be clean. No one should think that they can stain them,” Pinarayi said.
Also Read: ED conducts third round of raids in CMRL-Exalogic case involving T Veena
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
