Thiruvananthapuram | BJP leader Shone George on Wednesday said former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan would be arrested and jailed in the alleged CMRL monthly payment case, alleging that both the CPI(M) veteran and his daughter T Veena were "culprits" in the matter.
His reaction came amidst Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at places linked to Vijayan in the state in the case allegedly involving his daughter.
George, who was part of litigations in connection with the case, alleged that illegal mining and smuggling of mineral sand from Kerala's coastal regions over the last 10 years involved atomic minerals and so the case had implications extending to foreign countries and even national security.
Speaking to media, he claimed that Vijayan had accepted bribes in connection with the alleged activities and that the money was routed through Veena Vijayan's accounts.
George said the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), which conducted a probe based on his complaint, had already submitted its chargesheet before the Court and that Veena Vijayan was named as the third accused in the case.
He further said that the charges included money laundering and illegal financial transactions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) provisions.
He said he had submitted complaints before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking a probe against Vijayan and his daughter and alleged that attempts were made over the last two years to obstruct the legal battle using "power and money".
"The ED can now move strongly forward in the case. Pinarayi Vijayan will be arrested and jailed in the case," George said, referring to the recent Kerala High Court verdict dismissing a plea by CMRL seeking to quash the ED proceedings in the case.
A total of 10 premises in the state, including the rental house of the 81-year-old former CM in the state capital here, a location in Kannur and houses of key persons of Cochin Minerals And Rutile Ltd (CMRL), a private entity, are being raided by ED as part of its investigation against his daughter, Veena, in the CMRL money laundering case.
The action was taken a day after the Kerala High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by CMRL seeking to quash the ED proceedings in the case, thereby allowing the central agency to continue its probe.
As per the ED's case, registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), CMRL made an illegal payment of Rs 1.72 crore to Veena's company Exalogic Solutions, during 2017 to 2020, even though the IT firm had not provided any service to the company.
