Monthly pay-off case: ED likely to attach Veena's assets within one week

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to provisionally attach assets worth Rs 29 crore belonging to Veena Vijayan, daughter of Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, Exalogic Solutions, the owners of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), and senior company officials in connection with the alleged monthly pay-off case within a week. The agency is also expected to record Pinarayi Vijayan's statement. According to sources, the ED is likely to receive approval from its Adjudicating Authority in New Delhi within a week for the provisional attachment. The properties will initially be attached on a temporary basis, after which the owners will be given an opportunity to present their explanation before a final order is issued.

The ED has compiled details of properties identified during its raids and subsequent investigation, including assets that have already been frozen. The agency has also prepared a list of Veena Vijayan's land holdings and the assets of Exalogic Solutions. A detailed report, including property documents and bank account records related to the owners and senior officials of CMRL, has been submitted to the Adjudicating Authority.

ED may record Pinarayi Vijayan's statement
The ED's Kochi office is also planning to record the statement of Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan regarding the Rs 2.78 crore allegedly received by Veena Vijayan from CMRL. According to the agency, the payments were made even while Pinarayi Vijayan was serving as Chief Minister. Investigators are seeking to verify a statement allegedly given by CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha on April 17, 2024, in which he reportedly said that the payments to Veena Vijayan were made because of his personal relationship with the Chief Minister.

The ED is awaiting approval from its Director, Rahul Naveen, who is directly supervising the investigation. The agency is also considering summoning Pinarayi Vijayan to its office for questioning, especially after CPM workers allegedly resisted an ED raid in Thiruvananthapuram.