Pinarayi cites Assembly session, Supreme Court order in reply to ED notice

KOCHI: Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has informed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that he will not be able to appear for questioning on October 23 in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic financial transactions case. In his reply, he cited the ongoing Assembly session and a Supreme Court order. The ED has decided to seek legal advice before taking further action.

The ED issued a notice to Pinarayi last Saturday, directing him to appear for questioning. A team of ED officials visited his residence in Thiruvananthapuram but, as he was not present, pasted the notice on the wall before leaving. The notice asked him to appear at the agency’s Kochi office at 11 am on October 23.

Pinarayi Vijayan had received legal advice that he was not required to appear for questioning on October 23. The ED has registered two Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Apart from Vijayan, a case was also registered against former minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas. The ED initiated action following the registration of cases by the Vigilance Department.

For the ED to initiate an investigation under the PMLA in this matter, a state agency must first register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The registration of two FIRs by the Vigilance Department removed the legal hurdle facing the ED, paving the way for the agency to register its cases.