Kerala's Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday, 25 July strongly denied media reports claiming that Sasidharan Kartha, Managing Director of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), had told the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that contracts and payments awarded to T. Veena's firm, Exalogic Solutions, were directly linked to his personal proximity to the then Chief Minister. Vijayan called the reports a 'media creation' and demanded documentary proof from those making the allegations.

Vijayan's Rebuttal

'Who has released this statement? Does something become true merely because it appears in the media? If there is any document, let it be produced. These are all media creations. You have been manufacturing stories for years. Have any of those stories yielded any result?' Vijayan said while speaking to reporters on Saturday.

He further alleged a deliberate pattern to implicate him. 'Everyone is trying somehow to connect this case to me. They seem to have a great deal of interest in me. Let them prove it. Then we shall see,' he added.

What the ED Probe Alleges

According to media reports, Kartha is stated to have told the ED during questioning in April 2024 that neither Veena nor her company, Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, had provided any services to CMRL despite receiving payments running into crores of rupees. The reported statement further claimed that the contracts and payments were made solely on account of Kartha's personal relationship with Vijayan.

The ED is understood to have relied on this alleged statement while proceeding with attachment and freezing actions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency has already frozen bank accounts and deposits linked to Veena and associated entities as part of its ongoing money laundering investigation.

Laker India Corporation Under Scanner

Vijayan also denied fresh reports that his daughter T. Veena owns another company — Laker India Corporation — which is reportedly under the ED's scanner as the investigation widens. When questioned about the company, he deflected with a counter-question: 'Have you left Kamala International?'

Reports indicate that the ED recovered documents relating to a private company during searches conducted at Veena's residence in May and has since expanded its probe into the entity, which is reportedly engaged in the distribution of medical equipment.

The CMRL-Exalogic Case: Background

The case centres on allegations that Exalogic Solutions received crores of rupees from CMRL for consultancy services that were allegedly never rendered. The ED has intensified its probe and initiated attachment proceedings under the PMLA.

Vijayan has consistently denied any role in the alleged transactions, maintaining that repeated attempts are being made to target him through the investigation. This is not the first time he has pushed back against media reports linking him to the case — he has characterised such coverage as politically motivated on previous occasions as well.

With the ED's investigation reportedly expanding to include Laker India Corporation, the scope of the money laundering probe appears to be widening, even as Vijayan challenges investigators and media to produce concrete evidence.