Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to expand its investigation in the CMRL-Exalogic financial transactions case to include Muhammad Riyas, former minister and husband of Veena Vijayan. The move is part of the agency's probe into how the money Veena allegedly received from CMRL was utilised.

The ED has found that Veena received ₹2.78 crore from CMRL. According to the agency, she has not been able to produce satisfactory documents explaining the payments. Although the ED questioned Veena twice, investigators reportedly found inconsistencies in her statements. With no clear explanation on how the money was spent, the probe is now being extended to other family members.

The payments from CMRL were allegedly made between 2017 and 2020. Veena married Muhammad Riyas in June 2020, and the ED is examining whether the funds were used in any manner after the marriage. Investigators are also checking whether there were any financial transactions between the bank accounts of the couple. As part of this, the bank accounts of Riyas will be scrutinised.

The ED is also examining whether provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act are applicable in the case. It is probing whether the contract with CMRL was a quid pro quo for alleged favours extended by the state government and whether former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan played any role in the matter.