BJP Alleges UDF Govt Protecting CM Vijayan In CMRL Case, Demands Probe into Hawala Charges

Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front government of shielding former chief minister and current Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan in the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case. Chandrasekhar claimed that the government’s hesitation to act could be linked to the possible involvement of Congress and Indian Union Muslim League leaders in the alleged payment records connected to the case.

Chandrasekhar also demanded a comprehensive investigation into alleged hawala transactions involving Vijayan’s daughter T Veena and her husband, former minister P A Mohammed Riyas. His remarks came amid an Enforcement Directorate communication to the Kerala police seeking registration of cases against Vijayan, Veena, Riyas and others in connection with alleged financial irregularities linked to CMRL and Veena’s company, Exalogic Solutions.

The BJP leader questioned why no action had been taken against Vijayan and his family despite the ED forwarding its findings to the state authorities. He suggested that the UDF government could be reluctant to proceed because the alleged records may contain references to leaders from the Congress and IUML. These claims were made politically by Chandrasekhar and have not been established as facts by a court.

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The ED’s communication reportedly referred to alleged payments made by CMRL to Veena and Exalogic Solutions. According to the agency’s findings, Veena allegedly received ₹2.78 crore, while another ₹50 lakh was credited to Exalogic, taking the total amount mentioned in the report to ₹3.28 crore. The ED has alleged that the payments were not supported by evidence of services being rendered and were connected to suspected bribery.

The agency has also cited alleged diary entries, WhatsApp conversations and statements relating to suspected hawala transfers to Dubai. The allegations include claims that money was routed through intermediaries and that a company may have been planned in Dubai. Vijayan and members of his family have denied wrongdoing, while Vijayan has described the allegations as politically motivated and rejected the accusations against him.

The Kerala government has said the ED communication would be examined through the appropriate legal process before any decision is taken. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala earlier stated that the report had been forwarded to the Home Secretary, while Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government would review the legal aspects. The BJP’s latest allegations are expected to intensify the political dispute over the CMRL case and the government’s handling of the ED recommendation.

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