Published Sep 08, 2026 | 1:54 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 08, 2026 | 6:20 PM
Veena with her husband and former minister Muhammed Riyas.
Synopsis: It’s learnt that the ED has sent a letter to the State Police Chief, under Section 66/2 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002, seeking registration of separate FIRs against the three. The agency, reportedly, have also handed over a detailed report along with evidence in support of its request.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) made a significant move in the ongoing Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL)-Exalogic investigation, seeking registration of cases against Leader of the Opposition and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena and her husband and MLA P A Muhammad Riyas and ten others under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
It’s learnt that the ED has sent a letter to the State Police Chief, under Section 66/2 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002, seeking registration of separate FIRs against the 13 people, including Pinarayi Vijayan, Mohammed Riyas, Veena T, CMRL managing director Sasidharan Kartha and P. Sureshkumar. The agency has alleged that the suspected bribe amount was transferred through Empower India Capital Investments.
The ED has also alleged that several individuals identified as friends of Riyas — Nikhil, Waris, Faijaz, Nandulal and Shaijal — were involved in the transfer of the alleged bribe money.
The agency, reportedly, have also handed over a detailed report along with evidence in support of its request.
Officials said that ED frequently utilizes Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, to share investigative material with state law enforcement agencies. According to them, this section legally empowers the ED to pass on evidence of a corruption or bribery crime to state authorities, requesting them to register a FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, while confirming that the State Police Chief had received the ED’s letter, said the state government would follow the prescribed procedures and take necessary action. He declined to comment further and asked reporters to “wait and see.”
BJP leader Shone George, on whose complaint ED registered a case, alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan received a monthly payment through his daughter Veena’s company as a reward for allegedly facilitating activities that amounted to the exploitation of Keralam’s coastal areas. He demanded that the police register an FIR and launch an investigation based on the allegations contained in the ED’s letter.
George also called upon the Left Democratic Front to convene an immediate meeting and seek Pinarayi Vijayan’s removal from the post of Leader of the Opposition besides demanding his resignation as an MLA.
Also Read: ED conducts third round of raids in CMRL-Exalogic case involving T Veena
The ED’s move is likely to put the Congress-led UDF government in a politically difficult position.
If the government grants sanction for registration of the cases, the CPI(M) is expected to step up its campaign alleging that the Congress and BJP have joined hands to target Pinarayi Vijayan and the party.
On the other hand, if the government refuses permission, the BJP is likely to launch a political campaign accusing the Congress and CPI(M) of being two sides of the same coin on corruption and alleging an understanding between the two parties.
ED has also alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan, currently Leader of the Opposition, received ₹3.28 crore as bribe from CMRL, allegedly routed through his daughter T Veena.
The agency has based the allegation, among other things, on the purported admission of P. Suresh Kumar, former CFO/CGM of CMRL.
According to the ED, former minister and MLA P.A. Mohammed Riyas allegedly received bribe funds and facilitated their transfer to Dubai through Veena and other known associates.
The agency has further alleged that Veena assisted in the collection and routing of funds allegedly meant for Vijayan and Riyas.
Her company, Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, has been described by the ED as a corporate vehicle allegedly used to route sham payments. The allegations form part of the ED’s CMRL-linked money-laundering investigation.
Later in the day, Riyas hit back at the ED’s move seeking a corruption case in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic deal, asserting that he has done nothing wrong and is not afraid of any investigation.
Riyas said the matter would be dealt with both legally and politically and maintained that any investigation could be conducted. “There is no need to be afraid. No matter what script is written or from what angle it is presented, the innocent remain innocent,” he said.
Mocking what he described as the political nature of the ED’s moves, Riyas said he was confident that he had done nothing wrong and would not be intimidated by attempts to “hunt” him down. He also said the decision on whether to pursue the case should be taken by the UDF government.
In August 2026, the ED had launched its third round of raids in the CMRL-Exalogic financial transaction case involving T. Veena.
Sources in Kozhikode had then told South First that the ED was conducting raids at the residence of Nandulal, a DTPC official and native of Kunduparamba, Kozhikode and Nikhil, a DYFI leader.
Both are reportedly close to former Tourism Minister and Veena’s husband, PA Mohammed Riyas.
The ED was reportedly seeking further information from individuals close to Riyas, based on evidence and information gathered during earlier raids, including the search conducted at the residence of Pinarayi Vijayan.
Sources said the searches were part of the final stage of the investigation ahead of the filing of charges against the accused.
In the first week of June, the ED summoned T Veena in connection with the case. She appeared at the ED Zonal Office in Kochi on June 17 and faced nearly eight hours of interrogation. Apart from Veena, the ED has already questioned Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. (CMRL) Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha, Joint Managing Director Sharan S Kartha, Chief General Manager KS Suresh Kumar and other company officials.
The investigation concerns allegations that Veena’s firm, Exalogic Solutions, received payments from CMRL without providing corresponding services.
Also Read: ED inspects T Veena’s bank locker
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
