States » SouthPosted at: Oct 16 2026 5:57PM


ED summons Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning on Oct 23 in CMRL-Exalogic case

Kochi, Oct 16 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Kerala Chief Minister and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan to appear for questioning at its Kochi office on October 23 in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic case involving alleged financial transactions linked to his daughter Veena T's company.
The summons comes amid ongoing legal proceedings over a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) FIR in the case, which centres on payments made by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) to Exalogic Solutions during 2017–2019. The allegations concern whether the payments were backed by genuine services or amounted to illegal gratification. The charges have not been established in court.
According to the allegations cited in the case, CMRL paid a total of around Rs 3.28 crore to Veena and her company during the period under scrutiny under arrangements described as service-related payments and IT and marketing consultancy fees. The ED has questioned the nature of the services allegedly provided in return for the payments.
The investigation has also raised questions about whether any official favours were extended to CMRL during Vijayan's tenure as Chief Minister. These allegations form part of the wider scrutiny of the financial transactions and require examination through the investigative and judicial process.
Vijayan and other accused have approached the Supreme Court seeking to quash the VACB FIR. The defence has sought consideration of the challenge and interim protection, citing the possibility of arrest. The pending proceedings add a legal dimension to the ED's move to summon Vijayan for questioning.
The latest development places the CPM polutbureau and the former Chief Minister's response to the summons under scrutiny. It remains unclear whether he will appear before the agency on October 23 or seek further legal relief before the scheduled questioning.
The case has become a major political and legal issue in Kerala, with the course of the investigation and the Supreme Court proceedings expected to shape the next stage of the controversy.
The lawyer has indicated that Vijayan would respond to the summons, citing the ongoing Assembly session, scheduled to conclude on October 29. The Supreme Court has not granted immediate protection from arrest and indicated that the plea could be considered during the Dussehra vacation or after the court reopens.
The ED's investigation is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency has alleged that CMRL made payments of around Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic under the guise of IT consultancy services. The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.
UNI DS
Tags: #ED summons Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning on Oct 23 in CMRL-Exalogic case
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