Monthly payoff case: ED expands probe to Mohammed Riyas; financial transactions under scrutiny

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has expanded its investigation in the monthly payoff case. Reports say that ED is now examining the financial transactions of former public works minister P A Mohammed Riyas, husband of Veena Vijayan. The probe is focused on how the money allegedly received by Veena from CMRL was utilized. An investigation on the corruption linked to the agreement between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions is being conducted.

The ED has found that Veena's company, Exalogic Solutions, received Rs 2.78 crore from Kochi-based CMRL. However, Veena has not been able to produce adequate documentation to justify the payments. Although she was questioned twice by the ED, investigators reportedly found inconsistencies in her statements. Veena has maintained that there was nothing irregular about the agreement, but the ED has not taken this into confidence.

Veena got the money from CMRL between 2017 and 2020. Veena married Mohammed Riyas in June 2020. The ED is now examining how the money was used after their marriage. An investigation is being conducted on the financial transactions of Riyas to get a clarity on it. They will also verify whether there were any fund transfers between the bank accounts of the couple.

The ED is also examining whether provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act are applicable to the case. According to reports, ED suspects that the alleged monthly payments to Veena were linked to undue benefits allegedly extended by the state government to CMRL during the tenure of the first LDF government. The investigation is expected to focus on it.