Kerala CPI(M) keeps fingers crossed as SFIO probe against CM Vijayan's daughter nears completion

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPI(M) in Kerala and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is keeping fingers crossed as the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) under the ministry of Corporate Affairs, is likely to complete the probe against the CM's daughter in connection with the allegedly suspicious financial dealing with a controversial mining firm in two weeks.

SFIO informed the Delhi High Court that the inquiry is nearing completion and the report will be submitted in around two weeks.

Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutiles Limited (CMRL), which made payments to the tune of Rs 1.72 crore to CM's daughter Veena T, had approached the court against the SFIO probe.

Veena was earlier quizzed by the SFIO. She had reportedly failed to give convincing evidence to support her claim that the payments were received for services rendered by her IT services firm to the mining firm.

CMRL faces allegations of illegally mining mineral rich sand from the coastal areas of the state. The opposition Congress alleged that the payments to the Chief Minister's daughter were bribes given to the Chief Minister.

The Income Tax interim settlement board had initially pointed out the shady deals of Veena's Bengaluru-based firm with the mining firm. A preliminary inquiry report of the Registrar of Companies had found that her firm failed to provide documents to support the claim that the money was paid for services rendered. Subsequently the ministry ordered SIFO's probe.