ED summons Kerala CM Vijayan in CMRL money laundering probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a formal summons to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as part of its investigation into alleged money laundering related to the Cochin Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) project. The notice, pasted outside Vijayan's residence, directs him to present himself at 11 am on October 23 for questioning.

The summons marks an escalation in the ED's probe into financial irregularities connected to the infrastructure project. The agency has been investigating alleged instances of fund diversion and money laundering in connection with CMRL operations, which has seen multiple controversies over the past several years.

This development comes at a sensitive time for the Kerala government, which has been facing increased scrutiny from central agencies on various matters. The ED's action represents the first direct summons to the Chief Minister in this particular case, signaling the probe's intensification.

The Chief Minister's office has not yet issued an official statement regarding the summons. Legal experts suggest that such summonses typically indicate that the investigating agency believes the person's statement is material to the ongoing inquiry.

The CMRL project, conceived as a major urban transport initiative for Kochi, has faced multiple delays and cost overruns since its inception. The ED's investigation is one of several inquiries into the project's financial management and execution.