Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is interrogating Dr S N Sasidharan Kartha, Managing Director of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), in connection with a money laundering case linked to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan's IT firm. The recording of statement has been progressing at his residence, according to reports.

The agency had issued summons asking him to appear at its Kochi office on April 15. However, Kartha cited health issues and skipped the interrogation. The new development comes at this juncture.

The investigation by the agency stems from a report released by the Income Tax Interim Settlement Board in August 2023, which said that Veena and her firm had been paid Rs 1.72 crore every month by CMRL even though there was no proof that any services had been rendered in exchange. 

Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SIFO) probe affairs into the monthly pay-off case is progressing on the matter.