Kozhikode, 18 August
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has rallied behind its Kozhikode district committee member P. Nikhil after the Enforcement Directorate questioned him in connection with the alleged “monthly payment” case.
CPM Kozhikode district secretary M. Mehaboob visited Nikhil’s apartment while an ED search was under way on Tuesday and alleged that the agency’s action was politically motivated. He said the party would extend political support to Nikhil and challenge the investigation through legal and political means.
Mehaboob claimed that both the BJP and the Congress were using the central agency to target political opponents. He also confirmed that he had spoken to Nikhil during the operation.
The ED has reportedly expanded its investigation to cover several people considered close to former minister Mohammed Riyas. Searches were conducted at premises associated with District Tourism Promotion Council destination coordinator Nandulal, Nikhil, Shaijal and Faizaz. Business establishments linked to them were also inspected.
The investigation centres on alleged financial transactions involving Exalogic Solutions, the company associated with Veena Vijayan, daughter of Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan.
Officials reportedly obtained information about Nikhil and three others from entries found in Veena’s diary. During questioning, Veena is said to have identified them as friends of Riyas. The latest searches were reportedly initiated on the basis of those details.
Nikhil, a former Kozhikode district secretary of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, is now engaged in business and owns a company named Solace. The ED also searched his ancestral residence at Karuvanthuruthy near Feroke.
Search operations continued at eight locations, including several premises in Kozhikode. The action marks the third major round of searches undertaken in connection with the case. A four-member ED team led by an assistant director supervised the Kozhikode operations.
