Kerala CM’s daughter T. Veena denies allegations in CMRL case, terms PIL a bid to ‘vilify’ her

Kerala CM's daughter denies benami firm allegations, calls PIL politically motivated; SFIO probe ongoing, other agencies precluded.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter T. Veena has refuted the allegation that Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, a company run by her, is a benami firm, saying that it is operated independently of her father.

She made the statement in an affidavit filed before the Kerala High Court in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe into the allegations regarding the financial transactions between the Exalogic and the Kochi-based private minerals firm Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).

She pointed out that the company was founded and managed by her and at all times operated independently of her father. He had no role in the business of the company, financial or otherwise. In fact, she founded the company in 2014 whereas her father assumed office of Chief Minister in May 2016.

She also said that she had no role in any decision , communication or transaction relating to the Kovalam palace. The allegation that she had exercised undue influence in the transfer of the Kovalam palace and that she was a conduit for “unjust enrichment” is baseless and without any material. The allegations are “ex-facie malicious , defamatory, and disparaging” of a woman professional. It is nothing but political mudslinging disguised as a public litigation, she said.

Ms. Veena also said that the allegation that her husband and Minister for Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas’ disclosure of income in his income affidavit was inconsistent with the firm’s revenue is misconceived and misleading. Personal income, company turnover, and tax disclosures are governed by different standards. Any alleged discrepancy can only be addressed by the competent authority under the law. Besides, her husband was not a shareholder, director or beneficiary of Exalogic. He had had no connection with its business or operations at any point of time, according to the affidavit.

She said the PIL is “a disguised attempt to vilify” her because of her identity as daughter of the Chief Minister.

According to her, the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs had ordered a probe by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) into certain affairs of CMRL, including the transactions with Exalogic under Section 212 (1)(c)of the Companies Act. As the SFIO is currently seized of the matter, all other agencies are precluded from probing it. The provisions of the Companies Act barred a parallel or overlapping investigation by any other agency into it.