The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is apparently preparing to question former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, according to indications in a report submitted to the agency's Adjudicating Authority in New Delhi in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic financial transactions case.

The report, prepared by the ED's Kochi office ahead of proposed attachment proceedings against properties linked to Vijayan's daughter and accused T. Veena, has also brought into focus statements made by CMRL Managing Director S.N. Sasidharan Kartha during the investigation.

According to the report, Kartha told the ED on April 17, 2024, that payments were made to Exalogic and its director, T. Veena, because of their personal relationship with Pinarayi Vijayan. He also stated that the money was transferred even though no Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) services had been provided.

The ED further claimed in its report that Veena admitted receiving ₹2.78 crore in the name of IT consultancy services despite no such services being rendered. The agency is expected to rely on Kartha's statement while questioning Pinarayi Vijayan.

A discussion on questioning Vijayan reportedly took place when ED Special Director Prashant Kumar visited Kochi last week. Apparently, it was decided that ED Director Rahul Navin's approval would be sought before questioning Vijayan. It is learnt that the approval has since been granted.

The ED has referred to findings reportedly made by the Income Tax Department on January 25, 2019, which stated that CMRL had paid ₹1.72 crore to Exalogic for IT consultancy services that did not exist. The agency further alleges that a total of ₹2.78 crore was paid to Veena and her company under various agreements.

Pinarayi rejects claim

Responding to reports about Sasidharan Kartha's statement, Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed them as a media creation.

"The statement attributed to Kartha is a media creation. There is an attempt to somehow drag me into the ED investigation. Who leaked the statement? Does everything become true just because it appears in the media? If there is any document, let them produce it. You can fabricate anything. This has been going on for a long time. You seem to have great affection for me," he said.