CMRL-Exalogic Payoff Case: ED Summons Pinarayi Vijayan
Enforcement Directorate summons Pinarayi Vijayan for Oct 23 in the Rs 2.78-crore CMRL-Exalogic payoff case after Supreme Court denies urgent stay.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into the CMRL-Exalogic payoff case, serving a summons to former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. On Saturday, agency officials pasted the notice at Vijayan's rented residence in Thiruvananthapuram, demanding his presence for questioning and the production of relevant records.
Summons and Deadlines
The ED has directed the 82-year-old leader to appear at its Kochi office on October 23 (Friday) at 11 AM. This follows a formal summons issued on Friday as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. The agency is seeking evidence and documentation related to the financial dealings under scrutiny.
Supreme Court Denies Urgent Relief
The summons comes at a critical juncture, as the Supreme Court recently declined an urgent plea filed by Pinarayi Vijayan. He had sought a stay on vigilance proceedings, expressing a strong apprehension that he could face imminent arrest.
Representing Vijayan, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra informed a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi about the possibility of the leader's arrest. Luthra challenged a Kerala High Court order that directed the registration of an FIR, arguing that the order was issued by a single judge in a manner similar to public interest litigation.
While the court did not grant the stay, the Chief Justice mentioned the possibility of forming a special bench during the Dussehra vacation, depending on judge availability. If a special bench is not constituted, the matter is expected to be listed on October 26, when the court resumes regular functioning.
The Core of the Allegations
The legal turmoil stems from a directive issued by a single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court on October 9. The court ordered the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to launch a criminal case based on a report submitted by the ED.
The ED's investigation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), has uncovered evidence regarding suspicious payments. The key allegations include:
- Improper Transfers: The agency alleges that CMRL and an associate company transferred Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions.
- Misrepresentation: The ED claims these payments were falsely portrayed as fees for IT consultancy services to mask the actual nature of the transaction.
The case now hinges on the upcoming appearance of the former Chief Minister and the subsequent decisions of the Supreme Court following the holiday break.