Pinarayi Vijayan's Daughter Veena Appears Before ED For Questioning
The ED’s questioning mainly revolves around the payment of Rs 2.78 crore made by CMRL to Exalogic.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Veena T, owner of the now-defunct IT firm Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd and daughter of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Kochi on Wednesday.
She was questioned by the ED regarding the Cochin Minerals and Rutiles Ltd (CMRL)-Exalogic financial transactions case being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) Act.
Veena, who had been summoned by the ED to appear on June 12, requested more time due to health concerns. She also asked for exemption from appearing in person, hoping to submit documents and details of financial transactions through her lawyers instead. The ED, however, rejected her request and sent fresh notices, instructing her to appear before officials.
Earlier, the ED had raided her residence, seized digital records related to the case, and recorded her statement.
The ED’s questioning mainly revolves around the payment of Rs 2.78 crore made by CMRL to Exalogic. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) had earlier alleged that the payments were for IT and marketing consultancy services that were actually not provided.
Investigators are reportedly looking for documents and other records to determine if Exalogic actually provided services matching the payments it received. The ED is also probing a Rs 50 lakh loan given to Exalogic by Empower India Capital Investment Pvt Ltd (EICPL), a company where Jaya S. Kartha, wife of Sasidharan Kartha, serves as a director. Jaya Kartha and her son, Saran S. Kartha, were questioned by the ED on Tuesday about the loan transaction and subsequent financial dealings involving Exalogic.
Veena, joined by her husband and former minister Mohammad Riyas, arrived at the ED office for questioning, which went on for several hours.
