Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 19 (IANS) The Kerala government will take a final decision in the coming days on the course of action to be taken on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) report in the CMRL-Exalogic case, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Saturday.

Speaking to the media, Chennithala said the government had received the Advocate General’s legal opinion on the ED report.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is currently out of station and, once he returns, the two would discuss the opinion and take a final decision on the way forward, he said.

“Monday is a holiday here. In the coming few days, the State Government will take a decision,” Chennithala said.

According to sources, the AG has advised the government that it can proceed with an investigation based on the ED’s 25-page report submitted to the state police chief.

The opinion states that a case can be registered and investigated under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The legal opinion has left it to the Vigilance Director to decide whether to conduct a preliminary enquiry or register a full-fledged FIR.

It also gives the investigating agency the freedom to determine the nature of the probe.

The ED report contains allegations and findings relating to controversial financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a company owned by Veena Vijayan, daughter of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

According to the ED, its investigation has uncovered evidence and documents beyond the allegations that had surfaced earlier.

It has alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan, who was Chief Minister at the time, misused his official position and received illegal payments, with the money allegedly routed through Exalogic.

The ED has sought action under the Prevention of Corruption Act against more than 12 people, including Pinarayi Vijayan, former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas and Veena Vijayan.

The report also refers to other financial transactions running into several crores and points to a wider financial network beyond the accounts of the companies directly involved in the CMRL-Exalogic transactions.

It mentions the alleged involvement of Riyas, Veena Vijayan and a CPI(M) Kozhikode district secretariat member.

The government is also facing demands that the case be handed over to the CBI, citing concerns over the impartiality of a State Vigilance probe and the wider implications of the allegations.

The final decision by Satheesan and Chennithala is, therefore, expected to determine whether the matter proceeds through Vigilance or is referred to another central investigating agency.

–IANS

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