Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the CMRL-Exalogic case. He has been directed to appear at the ED office in Kochi on October 23. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, reacting to this, said that questions have been raised in the matter for a long time and the law should be allowed to take its course.
Tezzbuzz Desk – Political reaction has come to light after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued summons to former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL-Exalogic case. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on this matter on Monday that this is not a new thing and questions have been raised for a long time regarding the matter related to CMRL. He said that the law should be allowed to take its course.
Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor told news agency ANI, “This is not a new story. Questions have been raised on Pinarayi Vijayan's CMRL connections for a long time, the law should be allowed to take its course.” He said that central agencies are taking action through the court. Tharoor also denied any interference by the Kerala government in this matter.
'We don't want to make anyone a victim'
Shashi Tharoor said that ED and CBI have taken the action forward and there are also court instructions in this matter. He said that the instructions of the court are being followed.
“We ourselves have been victims of unfair investigations, so we don't want to victimize anyone. We just want the proper procedure to be followed,” Tharoor said.
Instructions to appear in ED office on October 23
The Enforcement Directorate has asked Pinarayi Vijayan to appear before its office in Kochi at 11 am on October 23 in the money laundering case. On Saturday, ED officials had pasted a summon notice on Vijayan's rented house in Thiruvananthapuram. In this, he has been instructed to present evidence and records regarding the allegations.
The case pertains to alleged financial transactions between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions. The investigating agency alleges that CMRL paid Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic by showing it as fees for IT consultancy services.
Daughter Veena T and son-in-law also under investigation
Apart from Pinarayi Vijayan, names of his daughter Veena T and son-in-law PA Mohammed Riyas are also under investigation in the CMRL-Exalogic case. ED is investigating alleged money laundering and financial transactions in this case.
A single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court had directed the initiation of a criminal case on October 9. After this Pinarayi Vijayan approached the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the High Court.
The lawyer appearing for Vijayan in the Supreme Court argued that the 82-year-old leader may have to face arrest. However, the court had refused to hear the petition immediately.
At present, an eye is being kept on the ED summons and further legal action in the case. Shashi Tharoor has talked about following proper procedure in this entire matter and letting the law take its course.