‘We are not scared’: Riyas hits back at ED probe into CMRL case

Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas has rejected the allegations against his wife, Veena T., in the CMRL-Exalogic monthly-payment case and accused the Enforcement Directorate of using raids on his close associates to create a political smokescreen.

Riyas made the remarks on Wednesday in his first detailed response since the central agency widened its investigation and conducted searches at multiple locations linked to his long-time friends and associates in Kozhikode.

The former minister’s statement also comes amid reports that Veena has been questioned by the ED for an extended period in connection with the case.

Rejecting claims that Veena had recently started a firm, Riyas said her business activities were legitimate and that details of her professional background were available in his election nomination papers.

“A new story is now being spread that Veena started a firm. That is not true. Anyone can check my nomination papers; everything is there,” he said.

Riyas said Veena had an independent professional identity and was free to engage in business. He described the allegations against her as baseless and said he had decided to challenge them both politically and legally.

Defending his friends whose premises were searched by the ED, Riyas said they were well-known businesspeople in Kozhikode and that their reputations could be verified by anyone in the district.

“My long-time friends have now come under raids. Anyone can find out about their character. I have known them for a long time. Everyone in Kozhikode knows about their businesses,” he said.

He alleged that the searches were intended to divert attention from the central issues in the case and accused the BJP-led Central government of using the ED for political purposes.

“Everyone knows how the ED is used by the BJP government,” Riyas said, adding that the raids would not affect his relationship with his friends.

The CPI(M) leader said neither he nor his party would back down in the face of the allegations.

“Nobody should think that we are going to be scared,” he said.

Riyas also spoke about Veena’s professional experience, saying she was highly qualified and had held senior positions in companies before entering the consultancy and business sectors.

“No wrong has been done. Let the case go forward; we will deal with it,” he said.

The ED is examining financial transactions allegedly involving Veena, Riyas and people associated with him. The agency is scrutinising documents and digital material seized during Tuesday’s searches.

Investigators are also looking into alleged transactions involving Solas, an advertising company linked to CPI(M) district secretariat member P. Nikhil.

Riyas said he would not respond to every question raised by the media and would allow the investigation to proceed. He added that he had consulted legal experts and would fight the case through both legal and political means.

“I strongly oppose the party which rules the country. I will continue my politics,” he said, referring to the BJP-led government and contrasting his position with that of Congress leaders who later joined the BJP.

The ED probe has emerged as a politically sensitive issue for Riyas, whose rise within the CPI(M) accelerated after his marriage to Veena.

He won the party’s nomination in the 2021 Assembly elections, later joined the state Cabinet with the PWD and Tourism portfolios, and subsequently entered the powerful CPI(M) State Secretariat.

The investigation involving his close associates is likely to gain further political importance ahead of the extended CPI(M) State Committee meeting scheduled to be held in Kozhikode next month.

The coming weeks could also prove significant for the Vijayan family if the ED issues further notices or adopts more stringent measures in the case.

(Inputs from IANS)