THIRUVNANTHAPURAM: Mathew Kuzhalnadan, a Congress MLA, has lodged a complaint with the vigilance department, calling for an investigation into alleged monthly payments made by Cochin Minerals and Rutiles Ltd to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He has submitted relevant documents and evidence to the vigilance director, demanding that a case be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and a thorough investigation be carried out to determine whether PV, mentioned in the company's statement, refers to Pinarayi Vijayan.
Suresh Kumar, the CFO of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited, reportedly stated that money was given to political leaders in Kerala belonging to both the ruling and opposition fronts to avoid disruption of businesses causing environmental harm. Documents recovered by the IT department from Suresh Kumar's house contained abbreviations like PV, RC, OC, KK, and IK, which allegedly referred to Pinarayi Vijayan, Ramesh Chennithala, Oommen Chandy, P K Kunhalikutty, and Ibrahim Kunju.
Kuzhalnadan stated that despite facing serious allegations, the Chief Minister has not provided a convincing reply. Pinarayi Vijayan has suggested that the "PV" mentioned in the company's statement is not him, but has not offered any evidence to support his claim. Kuzhalnadan clarified that he is not making these allegations to create a smokescreen or to attract media attention, but rather because the evidence available is convincing and authoritative.
The New Delhi bench of the Income Tax Interim Settlement Board (ITISB) had also submitted a report alleging that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter T Veena received Rs 1.72 crore from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL). However, the CPM state leadership has refuted the allegations as baseless. The ITISB bench stated that Rs 1.72 crore was allegedly paid by CMRL to Veena's company Exalogic Solutions for consultancy services that were never provided. The IT department has called it an illegal transaction in the guise of monthly instalments over a period of three years, from 2017-20.
Kuzhalnadan has been raising this issue for the past few months and is determined to fight against corruption and take the matter to its logical conclusion. He has made it clear that he will not abandon his fight halfway and intends to continue his legal battle.
