Thiruvananthapuram, 14 Oct(H.S.):The Vigilance Director has constituted two special investigation teams to probe the CMRL–Exalogic cases involving Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena and former minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas.

According to an order issued by the director, two Superintendents of Police will lead the investigations, with Deputy Inspector General Thomson Jose overseeing both teams. The investigations will be conducted from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

A team headed by SP E. L. Suresh will investigate the first case, which involves Pinarayi Vijayan. SP Balakrishnan will lead the investigation into the second case concerning alleged money laundering and hawala transactions involving Mohammed Riyas.

Veena has been named as the second accused in both cases, registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The formation of separate teams establishes the leadership and supervisory arrangements for the two investigations.

Vigilance had earlier registered two first information reports following a Kerala High Court order in connection with the CMRL–Exalogic matter. The latest order assigns each case to a separate officer while placing both investigations under a common supervisory authority.

The development comes as Vijayan’s challenge to the judicial direction remains before the High Court. He had approached a division bench against the single bench’s order directing the registration of a case.

However, the division bench has not granted a stay on the investigation. With no stay in place, the constitution of the special teams provides the administrative framework for Vigilance to proceed with the probes.

The two teams will examine the allegations covered by their respective FIRs under the supervision of Thomson Jose. Although the cases involve members of the same family, the order provides for separate investigations led by the designated SPs.

The allegations remain subject to investigation, and the registration of the FIRs does not constitute a finding of guilt against any of those named.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman