By: The Trek News Desk
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its investigation into the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) alleged pay-off case on Wednesday by questioning T. Veena, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This marks the first time she has appeared in person before the agency in connection with the ongoing probe.
Veena arrived at the ED’s regional office in Kochi around 10:25 am on Wednesday (June 17, 2026). She was accompanied by her husband and Beypore MLA P. A. Mohamed Riyas, who remained outside the office premises and left after she entered for questioning.
The case revolves around allegations that CMRL transferred approximately ₹2.78 crore to Veena’s now-defunct IT firm, Exalogic, without receiving any corresponding services. The ED is examining whether the payments were part of a larger financial irregularity network.
The questioning on Wednesday is part of the agency’s wider probe into these alleged transactions.
Security was significantly strengthened outside the ED office ahead of Veena’s appearance. Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), along with Kerala Police, were deployed to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents.
The heightened security measures follow earlier tensions in May 2026, when alleged clashes broke out during ED raids near the Kerala Chief Minister’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram, leading to arrests linked to political worker groups.
The agency had initially summoned Veena on June 12, but she requested a postponement citing health-related reasons. A fresh summons was subsequently issued, directing her to appear on June 17.
As part of the same investigation, ED officials have already questioned several individuals linked to CMRL. On Monday, the daughter of a senior company executive was interrogated, followed by detailed questioning of top management personnel, including the joint managing director, on Tuesday.
According to ED inputs, earlier investigations by the Income Tax Department in 2019 detected alleged bogus expenses worth nearly ₹130 crore in CMRL’s accounts. The company is also said to have acknowledged certain discrepancies before the Income Tax Settlement Commission.
Further scrutiny by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) reportedly uncovered nearly ₹182 crore in suspicious cash expenses spread over 15 years, allegedly used for illicit payments.
The ED has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on a complaint filed by the SFIO before a court in Ernakulam. During the investigation, the agency has frozen around ₹18.36 crore across 242 bank accounts linked to the case.
Officials stated that the probe is still at an early stage, and further developments and revelations are expected as investigations continue.
Source: News Agencies
