Thiruvananthapuram: Veena Vijayan, daughter of Kerala's Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, will not appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday in connection with the ongoing monthly pay-off investigation. Citing health issues, she has sent an email to the central agency requesting a postponement of her deposition and asking for an alternate date.

The ED’s Kochi Zonal Office had previously summoned her to appear for questioning on Friday. While the agency routinely considers extensions based on legitimate medical grounds, sources indicate that even if a temporary deferral is granted today, she will be mandated to appear in person early next week. An official decision regarding her deferral request is expected to be communicated to her today.

The investigation is heavily anchored on findings from the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), which uncovered financial irregularities exceeding ₹132 crore involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL). The ED is specifically probing potential money laundering angles, focusing on ₹2.78 crore received by Veena's firm, Exalogic Solutions, between 2016 and 2021, alongside a ₹50 lakh loan sourced from Empower India.

Investigators intend to confront her using financial digital footprints seized during previous raids. Summons have also been issued to nine other high-profile individuals linked to the case, including CMRL Managing Director S N Sasidharan Kartha, who has been directed to depose this coming Monday.