Thiruvananthapuram, June 12:
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a fresh summons to T. Veena, daughter of Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, in connection with the ongoing CMRL-Exalogic monthly payment case after she sought exemption from appearing before the agency citing health reasons.
Veena was asked to appear before ED officials at the agency’s Kochi office on Thursday for questioning as part of the investigation. However, she did not appear and instead informed the agency that she was unable to attend due to medical issues. Following her request, the ED has now directed her to appear before investigators on Wednesday.
Sources said Veena had sought a two-week extension to comply with the summons. She also informed the agency that the documents sought in connection with the investigation could be submitted through her legal representatives. However, the ED has not formally responded to the proposal and is understood to be unwilling to grant the extended period sought by her.
The agency is probing alleged financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, the IT firm associated with Veena. Investigators are examining the nature of monthly payments allegedly made by CMRL to Exalogic and whether the transactions involved any violation of provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
As part of the investigation, the ED is scrutinising financial records, business dealings and related documents linked to the companies and individuals connected to the case. Earlier, the agency had issued summonses to nine other persons associated with the matter.
The questioning of several individuals linked to the probe is continuing. Among those expected to appear before the agency is Sharan S. Kartha, son of CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha, along with others connected to the companies under investigation.
The CMRL-Exalogic case has emerged as one of Kerala’s most closely watched investigations, attracting significant legal and political attention as the ED continues to widen its probe.
