Green signal from Kerala govt: Home minister announces probe against Pinarayi, Riyas in monthly payment case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government accepted the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) recommendation to conduct an investigation against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena, and former Minister Mohammed Riyas in the monthly payment case.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala directed DGP Ravada Chandrashekhar to have the Crime Branch investigate the matter. A special investigation team, led by the Crime Branch ADGP, will be constituted for this purpose.

The decision was taken after a meeting between Chief Minister Satheesan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

The investigation will be based on the letter forwarded by ED to the Police Chief after probing the dubious financial dealings between Veena and CMRL company. The Home Department deemed that simultaneous investigations by the Vigilance wing and the Crime Branch were unnecessary in the case.

However, a counter-argument arose that a Vigilance inquiry was essential to clarify the role of Pinarayi—who was Chief Minister at the time—regarding the receipt of the monthly payments.

Advocate General Jaju Babu, who studied the letter in detail, sent by ED, advised that a preliminary inquiry could be conducted by the Vigilance and Crime Branch. Director General of Prosecution T. Asaf Ali also provided legal advice that Pinarayi and Veena could be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, regarding the financial transactions worth Rs 3.28 crore between Veena and CMRL.