ED using coercion to extract statements against Kerala CM Vijayan, alleges MLA

Mohamed Riyas, the MLA from Beypore in Kerala, levelled serious accusations against the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday, alleging that the central investigative agency is employing coercive tactics to extract testimonies against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter Veena. According to Riyas, the ED is systematically pressuring individuals to provide statements against the two, raising concerns about the integrity of the investigative process.

The Beypore legislator further claimed that once these statements are procured through alleged coercion, they are being repurposed and disseminated to media organizations as official press releases from the ED. This practice, if substantiated, would raise questions about the agency's adherence to procedural guidelines and the reliability of statements obtained during investigations.

The allegations come amid ongoing scrutiny of various investigations being conducted by central agencies in Kerala. Riyas's claims suggest potential irregularities in investigative methodology and the subsequent handling of evidence and witness statements.

The ED has not yet responded to the allegations. The matter is likely to attract attention from political circles and civil liberties organizations in the state, particularly given the involvement of the state's chief minister and the implications for fair trial standards.