Kochi: Veena Vijayan, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Kochi on Thursday. The agency questioned her for the second time in the alleged Exalogic-CMRL money laundering case.
She reached the ED office at around 9.20 am. Officials had questioned her for more than nine hours on June 17 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). They first asked her to appear again on June 29. Later, they advanced the date and issued a fresh summons.
ED Examines Financial Transactions
The ED is investigating financial dealings between Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL).
The agency alleges that CMRL paid ₹2.78 crore to Exalogic without receiving any services. Investigators are also examining loans worth ₹50 lakh given to Exalogic by Empower India Capital Investments Pvt Ltd, a company linked to CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha.
Officials believe these transactions may have created “proceeds of crime” under the PMLA. They decided to question Veena Vijayan again after reviewing her earlier statement and new evidence.
ED Expands Investigation
On June 19, ED officials inspected Veena Vijayan’s bank lockers in Thiruvananthapuram. They have also questioned several CMRL directors and senior officials during the investigation.
The agency continues to examine financial records, company documents and other evidence connected to the case.
SFIO Complaint Led to the Case
The investigation began after the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) filed a prosecution complaint before a court in Ernakulam in April 2025.
The SFIO alleged that Exalogic and CMRL had a financial arrangement in which payments were made without corresponding services. The ED later obtained the SFIO documents after receiving permission from a Kochi court.
The investigation also follows an Income Tax Department search conducted in 2019. During that search, officials reportedly found suspected financial irregularities, including nearly ₹130 crore in alleged fictitious expenditure linked to CMRL.
Investigation Still Underway
The ED has not announced any final findings. Officials continue to examine documents, financial records and witness statements. The investigation remains ongoing, and the agency is expected to question more people if required.