Pinarayi Vijayan Denies Family's Hawala Links Amid ED Probe Into Daughter's Firm

Former Kerala chief minister and CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said that he had “clean hands” and denied that his daughter T Veena or any other member of his family had engaged in hawala transactions.

His statement comes amid the Enforcement Directorate's expanding investigation into alleged payments made by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) to Veena's IT company, Exalogic Solutions.

“My hands are clean and I have full confidence that neither my daughter nor any of my family members have engaged in any hawala dealings. My hands will always remain clean,” Vijayan said.

CPI(M) To Discuss ED Probe Into Veena's Company

Vijayan, a member of the CPI(M) politburo, questioned the ED's claims about hawala transactions and said Veena was facing unusual actions because she is his daughter. He added that she had cooperated with the investigation and would continue to do so.

The CPI(M) will hold a meeting in Kozhikode on Sunday, where state secretary M V Govindan is expected to present the party's position on the matter. The meeting comes as the ED investigation extends beyond the alleged CMRL-Exalogic payments case, with more party leaders coming under scrutiny. Govindan has previously accused the BJP of using the ED as a tool and said the searches were aimed at undermining the credibility of the CPI(M).

ED Expands Probe Into CMRL-Exalogic Payments Case

The ED had previously alleged that Veena's company, Exalogic Solutions, received Rs 2.78 crore from CMRL under the guise of payments for IT consulting services. In May this year, the ED searched a property linked to Vijayan. Earlier this week, the agency also searched eight locations in Kozhikode district connected to local CPI(M) leaders.

The ED said it had recovered evidence of alleged money transfers through hawala routes during the searches.

“Several statements and digital evidence relating to transfer of money through hawala routes were seized. Veena has been handling money beyond her known sources of income. The amounts stated in her handwritten accounts were over and above the amounts received from CMRL. The amount transferred to Dubai as per notings is 3.49 lakh UAE Dirham (equivalent to Rs 85 lakh). The amount maintained for Indian rupees is for about Rs 20.05 crore approximately,” the ED said.

According to the federal agency, its investigation found that 3.49 lakh UAE Dirham, equivalent to around Rs 85 lakh, was allegedly transferred to Dubai. The ED also claimed that around Rs 20.05 crore was maintained in Indian currency.

The ED further alleged that Veena had been handling money beyond her known sources of income and that her handwritten accounts contained amounts exceeding the payments she received from CMRL.