Kochi: The political temperature surrounding former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter Veena Vijayan rose sharply on Thursday after the latter made an ‘unexpected’ appearance before Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Kochi for a second round of questioning this month.
What has particularly raised eyebrows is the timing of her visit. Veena had reportedly been directed to appear before the Central agency on June 29.
However, in a move that surprised political observers and legal circles alike, she arrived at the ED office around 9.15 a.m. on Thursday, four days ahead of the scheduled date.
Meanwhile, reports said that it was the ED which asked Veena to appear on Thursday.
The surprise appearance comes at a crucial juncture in the ongoing investigations linked to the controversial financial dealings involving her now-defunct IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, and allegations surrounding payments received from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL).
Incidentally, by now the ED probe team have completed one round of extensive questioning of top officials of the CMRL.
Sources indicate that ED officials have recently obtained extensive records and materials gathered by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), which has been probing the alleged transactions and corporate arrangements connected to the case.
Investigators are understood to be examining financial trails, company records, banking transactions and statements recorded during earlier rounds of questioning.
The development assumes significance as the ED seeks to build upon findings already unearthed by the SFIO probe.
Officials are believed to be scrutinising whether the payments made to Exalogic had legitimate business justification or whether they point to possible violations under financial and anti-money laundering laws.
Thursday’s questioning is also being closely watched because of its potential political ramifications.
The case has long been a rallying point for opposition parties, which have accused the Vijayan family of failing to adequately explain the transactions under scrutiny.
The former Chief Minister and his party have consistently denied any wrongdoing and have maintained that the investigations are politically motivated.
With the ED now intensifying its examination and armed with fresh material gathered from parallel investigations, the spotlight has once again shifted firmly onto the Vijayan family.
Veena’s unexpected appearance before investigators is likely to fuel further speculation over the direction and pace of the probe in the days ahead.
(IANS)
