Kochi, June 6: BJP leader Sean George welcomed the Kerala High Court’s decision on Friday, which allows the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate alleged monthly payments linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). He stated that the court’s ruling demonstrates that the Indian legal system cannot be bought.
This case relates to alleged illegal bribes received by CMRL from the IT firm Exalogic, owned by Veena Vijayan. Veena is the daughter of former Chief Minister P. Vijayan and the wife of CPI-M MLA and former state minister P.A. Mohammad Riyas.
In response to the division bench’s order, George asserted that the investigative agency does not need to gather new evidence for the case. He noted that the matter raised by Congress leader Mathew Kuzhalnadan is fundamentally different and that there should be no immunity for any criminal act.
George alleged irregularities within the company, which has state government stakes. He claimed that the invoices submitted for GST payments were fraudulent and related to services that were never provided.
The BJP leader also stated that the state government could file a case if it chose to. He emphasized that Veena Vijayan was merely an intermediary, and the ultimate responsibility lay elsewhere. Payments made by CMRL were aimed at obtaining undue benefits and resembled nepotism.
The High Court dismissed CMRL’s appeal challenging the continuation of the ED’s investigation, upholding the agency’s authority to proceed. The court also rejected the company’s request for a two-week stay on the order to allow for an appeal to the Supreme Court.
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