CMRL-exalogic case: Kerala forms SIT to probe Pinarayi Vijayan
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police on Wednesday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a preliminary probe into allegations against former Chief Minister and current Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL-Exalogic monthly payment case.
The SIT has been given 30 days to complete the preliminary investigation. It will function under the supervision of Crime Branch ADGP H. Venkatesh, while SP Vikraman has been appointed as the investigating officer.
The team comprises three Deputy Superintendents of Police, five Inspectors and officers from the Cyber Division.
The SIT was constituted after the state government decided to act on a communication sent by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the State Police Chief regarding transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, the now-defunct IT company owned by Vijayan's daughter T. Veena.
The government proceeded with the preliminary inquiry after obtaining legal advice on the material forwarded by the central agency. The Advocate General's opinion was sought before deciding to proceed with the investigation.
The probe will examine allegations contained in the ED report, including financial transactions involving CMRL and Exalogic. It will also cover allegations concerning Vijayan, Veena and former minister and CPI(M) MLA P.A. Mohammed Riyas.
The allegations against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas have not been established through a police investigation or judicial process. Vijayan, Riyas and the CPI(M) have rejected the charges. Riyas has also questioned the state government's decision to initiate the probe based on the ED report.
The government's decision followed discussions between Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala after the ED communication reached the State Police Chief. Satheesan said the law would take its course and maintained that the move was not political witch-hunting.
Chennithala said the government could not ignore information furnished by the ED. He said the procedure for conducting a preliminary inquiry had been examined in light of the Supreme Court's Lalita Kumari judgment.
The formation of the SIT adds a new dimension to the politically sensitive case. For nearly a decade, senior police officers dealt with Vijayan while he was Chief Minister. He now faces questions as Opposition Leader from investigators drawn from the same police establishment.
Vijayan served as Kerala Chief Minister from 2016 to 2026.
The CPI(M) has opposed the government's decision and vowed to fight the matter politically and legally. On Tuesday, party workers took to the streets in protest.
With IANS inputs