Vigilance Bureau Forms Teams to Investigate Corruption Cases Involving Former Kerala Chief Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has established two special teams to investigate corruption allegations against former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena, former minister Mohammad Riyas, and others. VACB Director Manoj Abraham announced the formation of these teams on Wednesday.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Thomson Jose will oversee both investigations. Superintendent of Police (SP) E.N. Suresh will lead the inquiry into the case where Vijayan is the primary accused. Meanwhile, SP Balakrishnan from the Kozhikode Special Cell will handle the case involving Riyas as the first accused.

Both cases fall under the Prevention of Corruption Act and were registered following a directive from the Kerala High Court based on a report from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). T. Veena is named as the second accused in both cases.

The first case pertains to alleged payments made by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) to Veena’s company, Exalogic, during Vijayan’s first term as Chief Minister. The ED claims that Exalogic received ₹3.28 crore for services not rendered, suggesting that the payment was made due to political influence and equated to a bribe received by Vijayan.

In this case, Vijayan is the primary accused, while Veena is the second. Seven individuals, including CMRL owner Shashidharan Kartha, have also been implicated.

The second case involves allegations that Riyas generated illegal wealth while serving as a minister and transferred money abroad through hawala channels. According to the ED’s findings, Riyas and Veena allegedly conspired with friends to transfer ₹85 lakh to the United Arab Emirates via intermediaries.

During a search of Veena’s residence, handwritten notes related to the alleged transactions were discovered. The accused reportedly discussed a garment export business in Dubai. Riyas is the main accused in this case as well, with Veena as the second accused. Eight individuals, including Riyas’s friends, have been charged.

Both cases involve allegations of misuse of power for illegal financial gain. The Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch has handed over relevant documents to the VACB, including recorded statements from Riyas’s acquaintances. The VACB will now conduct separate investigations into each case, with charges still to be substantiated through legal proceedings.