Kerala leaders deny illegal CMRL payments amid money laundering probe

Political leaders from both the ruling UDF and opposition LDF in Kerala have denied allegations of receiving illegal payments from the mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). The controversy follows claims by the BJP that CMRL funds were used to influence political figures and prevent investigations into former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that CMRL made fraudulent payments totaling Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions, a now-defunct IT firm owned by Veena T, the daughter of the former Chief Minister. These payments were reportedly disguised as IT consultancy services.

Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan addressed the allegations, distinguishing between election funding and corruption. He stated that while he had received election donations from CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha several years ago, such contributions are standard practice for all parties during elections and do not constitute illegal gratification. He added that the government would not blindly accept ED allegations and expressed no objection to investigations into a diary purportedly belonging to Kartha, which contains names of various political leaders.