'Hands Are Clean': Pinarayi Vijayan Denies 'Hawala Dealings', Defends Daughter Amid ED Probe

Former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday denied that he, his daughter T Veena or any other member of his family had engaged in hawala dealings, as the Enforcement Directorate investigates a money-laundering case involving Veena's company. Vijayan said Veena had cooperated with the probe and would continue to provide information sought by the agency, as per ANI.

His statement comes as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches at eight premises at various location of Kozhikode in Keralam in its ongoing Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) financial transaction case.

Vijayan Defends Daughter Amid ED Probe

On ED findings against his daughter Veena T, Vijayan said, "There was a CBI investigation against me in the past. The complaint was that, during an election period, someone had allegedly given me Rs 2-3 crore. The CBI came and conducted an investigation. The reason for the ED investigation taking place now is on Veena, my daughter. The ED is taking this peculiar action merely because she is my daughter. Veena is not the owner of any large assets. As I did then, I welcome any investigation even today."

"Neither I, my daughter nor any member of my family has done any hawala dealings. I am fully convinced about that. These hands are clean and will remain clean," Vijayan said.

The ED, in a statement on Wednesday, said it had seized some “handwritten” notes during searches at Veena's premises in May, which contained details of certain fund transfers to Dubai. The agency also claimed that digital devices seized during the searches contained a photograph of a SIM card obtained under another person's name. Veena purportedly used the SIM card to make internet-based calls, the ED said.

The money laundering case relates to Keralam-based mining company CMRL and Exalogic Solutions, a company promoted by Veena and now defunct. The probe relates to allegations that CMRL paid Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd without receiving any services in return, as per PTI.

Former Keralam CM Questions ED Actions

Vijayan raised concerns over what he described as unusual conduct by the ED during the investigation. He noted that the agency generally publishes information through its website instead of releasing press statements. He also accused some media outlets of carrying reports targeting him without providing evidence and sought clarification on the basis for a report claiming that money received by Veena had been transferred to the bank account of her husband, former state minister Mohammed Riyas, as per media reports.

"In this case, a press release was issued. In the press release, it mentioned my name as P Vijayan. It also says former chief minister. Why was it necessary to say that?" he asked.