Monthly payoff case: Two SITs in cases against Pinarayi, Riyas, DIG Thomson Jose to head probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The vigilance has entrusted two Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe the monthly payoff case involving opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan and in the case against former minister P A Mohammed Riyas. DIG Thomson Jose will head the investigation. The official government order regarding this appointment has been issued.

The vigilance had registered the case naming Pinarayi Vijayan as the first accused. Another case has also been registered in connection with hawala transactions, naming former minister Mohamed Riyas as the first accused. In both these cases, which have been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Pinarayi's daughter Veena is the second accused.

Two SITs were formed because the investigations need to be centered in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. SP E N Suresh will lead the investigation in the case against Pinarayi, while Kozhikode Special Cell SP Balakrishnan will head the probe in the case against Riyas.

Meantime, the Kerala High Court will consider today the pleas filed by Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena, and Riyas challenging the single bench order directing the registration of a case based on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) letter. They argue that the single bench issued the order without hearing their side and that the ED's letter does not state that the chief minister, in his official capacity, extended any favours to the company CMRL. However, the vigilance department maintains that the appeal is not maintainable.