The Enforcement Directorate’s Kochi unit on Friday summoned former Keralam chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning on October 23 in connection with the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case.
The summons came on a day Vijayan, 81, approached the Supreme Court challenging a Kerala High Court order to register an FIR against him. The summons was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), under which the ED registered a case after taking cognisance of a state police FIR.
With the ED issuing summons to Vijayan, his lawyer said the CPM leader would not be able to appear on October 23. He cited the ongoing Assembly session, which concludes on October 29. Vijayan is the leader of the Opposition. However, because of Durga Puja holidays, the Assembly won’t be in session on October 23 and will resume on October 26.
A CPM source said Vijayan had been advised to buy time as the Supreme Court on Friday indicated it may constitute a special bench during the Puja holidays to hear his plea seeking protection from arrest. “Vijayan's appearance before the ED will depend on the outcome of the Supreme Court case. His lawyer in the high court has advised him to cite the ongoing Assembly session for his inability to appear before the ED,” said the source.
The ED has registered a separate case against Vijayan and his son-in-law P.A. Mohammed Riyas, a former public works department minister, over alleged monthly pay-offs by CMRL and related hawala transactions.