Thiruvananthapuram: Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has formed two special investigation teams to probe cases against former CM and opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, and her husband, former minister P A Mohamed Riyas, over alleged CMRL-Exalogic pay-offs and hawala transactions.The cases were registered based on information provided by Enforcement Directorate (ED), following a Kerala HC directive to investigate the allegations. SP E N Suresh will head the team probing alleged payments by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) to Veena’s company, Exalogic Solutions, during the first Pinarayi govt. ED had alleged that the payments constituted illegal gratification intended for Vijayan, the first accused in the case. Veena is the second accused, while CMRL MD S Sasidharan Kartha is also among the accused.SP Balakrishnan will lead the team probing allegations that Riyas accumulated illicit funds and transferred them abroad through hawala channels. Riyas is the first accused and Veena the second accused in this case. His associates are among the other accused.Both teams will function under the direct supervision of the IG (VACB), with the bureau’s cyber cell providing technical assistance. The teams have been directed to submit their final reports at the earliest.
