Kerala's Pinarayi Vijayan Denies Hawala Allegations Amid ED Probe

Former Kerala Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan Saturday said his hands are clean and neither his daughter T Veena nor any other member of his family has engaged in hawala transactions. This comes amid Enforcement Directorate’s widening probe into alleged illegal payments made by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) to the IT firm owned by his daughter. “My hands are clean and I have full confidence that neither my daughter nor any of my family members have engaged in any hawala dealings. My hands will always remain clean,’’ said Vijayan. Questioning ED’s claim regarding hawala transactions, Vijayan, also a member of CPI(M) politburo, said, “Veena was facing unusual actions on the ground that she is my daughter. She does not have huge wealth. She had cooperated with the probe and will continue to do so.’’ With the ED probe going beyond the CMRL-Exalogic alleged payoff scam and more party leaders coming under scanner, the CPI(M) on Sunday will organise a meeting in Kozhikode in which state secretary M V Govindan is set to present the party’s stand on the issue and rally behind Veena and her husband Mohammed Riyas. Govindan has already said the searches were targeted at destroying CPI(M)’s credibility and alleged that the BJP was using ED as a tool. The ED had earlier alleged that Exalogic Solutions, owned by Veena, received Rs 2.78 crore from CMRL in the guise of IT consultancy payments. ED had searched Vijayan’s premises in May this year. Early this week, they also conducted searches on eight premises linked to local CPI(M) leaders in Kozhikode district, the home town of Vijayan’s son-in-law and former minister Mohammed Riyas. Following the searches, the ED had said it had found evidence relating to transfer of money through hawala routes. “Several statements and digital evidence relating to transfer of money through hawala routes were seized. Veena has been handling money beyond her known sources of income. The amounts stated in her handwritten accounts were over and above the amounts received from CMRL. The amount transferred to Dubai as per notings is 3.49 lakh UAE Dirham (equivalent to Rs 85 lakh). The amount maintained for Indian rupees is for about Rs 20.05 crore approximately,” the ED said. In the alleged payoff scam, which had emerged in 2023, the central agency has said that the amount transferred to Dubai as per notings is 3.49 lakh UAE Dirham (equivalent to Rs 85 lakh). The amount maintained for Indian rupees is for about Rs 20.05 crore approximately. The ED had also said that Veena has been handling money beyond her known sources of income. The amounts stated in her handwritten accounts were over and above the amounts received from CMRL.