ED’s CMRL-Exalogic list: What is alleged against Pinarayi, Riyas, Veena and others?

Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recommended that the Kerala Police register a case over the alleged CMRL-Exalogic transaction, listing the alleged roles of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena, Mohammed Riyas and several others. Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said appropriate action would be taken according to established procedures.

ED lists alleged roles in CMRL-Exalogic transaction

The ED, in a letter sent to the State Police Chief, has described the CMRL-Exalogic transaction as an alleged corruption case and recommended registration of a case against those it has named.

The agency has listed the alleged involvement of individuals and companies in the transaction. The allegations are based, among other things, on the statement of former CMRL Chief Financial Officer P. Suresh Kumar.

Chennithala confirmed that the government had received the ED's letter and said action would follow procedural norms. He also told reporters to "wait and watch".

Here is the list provided by the ED:

Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan – The ED has demanded that a case be registered against him for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 3.28 crore from CMRL through his daughter Veena. The ED has based this allegation on the statement of former CMRL CFO P. Suresh Kumar.

1. Mohammed Riyas – The ED has recommended registration of a case against Riyas for allegedly accepting bribe money through Veena and associates and transferring the money to Dubai.
2. Veena – The ED alleges that Veena assisted Pinarayi Vijayan and Mohammed Riyas in collecting and diverting the alleged bribe money.
3. Exalogic Solutions Private Limited – The ED has identified the company as the corporate entity allegedly used to divert payments described as fake.
4. S.N. Sasidharan Kartha – The ED has recommended a case against CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha for allegedly providing bribes.
5. P. Suresh Kumar – The ED has recommended a case against former CMRL CFO Suresh Kumar for allegedly assisting in providing bribes.
6. Empower India Capital Investments Private Limited – The ED has identified the company as an entity allegedly used to transfer the bribe money.
7. Shaijal Mohammad – The ED alleges that he assisted Veena and Mohammed Riyas in collecting and transferring the alleged bribe money.
8. Nikhil – The ED alleges that he assisted Veena and Mohammed Riyas in collecting and transferring the alleged bribe money.
9. Hassan Wari s – The ED alleges that he assisted Veena and Mohammed Riyas in collecting and transferring the alleged bribe money.
10. Faijas V.P. – The ED alleges that he assisted Veena and Mohammed Riyas in collecting and transferring the alleged bribe money.
11. Nandalal M. – The ED alleges that he assisted Veena and Mohammed Riyas in collecting and transferring the alleged bribe money.
12. Other unknown persons – The ED has referred to other unidentified persons as alleged conspirators and abettors.

What happens next?

The ED's letter recommends registration of a police case; it does not by itself establish the guilt of the individuals or entities named. The next step will depend on the state police's consideration of the ED's recommendation and the applicable legal procedure.

Chennithala has said that appropriate action will be taken according to procedural norms, indicating that the government is expected to examine the ED's allegations and recommendation before deciding on further action.