Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is reportedly gearing up to issue a fresh summons to Veena Vijayan, daughter of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, for a detailed interrogation. This move comes immediately after a division bench of the Kerala High Court dismissed an appeal filed by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) challenging the ongoing ED probe into the financial transactions between CMRL and Veena’s firm, Exalogic Solutions.

The central agency had previously conducted extensive raids at around 12 locations linked to CMRL and Veena Vijayan. Although the ED had questioned Veena briefly during those searches, officials stated they did not receive clear answers. Armed with newly seized evidence, the agency now plans to question her extensively in the coming hours, specifically focusing on the ultimate utilisation and destination of the funds she received.

Following the recent raids, a high-level ED meeting was convened in Kochi, attended by ED director Rahul Navin. The top leadership reviewed the progress of the case, expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of the probe, and directed the team to expedite the remaining investigation. Anticipating that CMRL might approach the Supreme Court with an appeal, the ED is meticulously gathering airtight evidence. As part of the crackdown, the agency has already frozen approximately ₹18 crores spread across 242 bank accounts, including one linked directly to Veena.

The investigation has widened remarkably, with the ED deciding to open Veena's bank lockers and probe her offshore bank accounts. More individuals associated with CMRL are expected to be summoned for questioning soon. The ED alleges financial irregularities amounting to ₹132 crores in the case, out of which payouts were allegedly made to Veena and others. The agency has made it clear that the scanner will now expand to every single beneficiary of these funds, marking a transition into a comprehensive and aggressive phase of the investigation.