The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s son Vivek Kiran in connection with the SNC Lavalin case.
The ED summoned Dilip Rahul, a director of Lavalin, after receiving information that he had paid for the education expenses of Kiran. The probe agency had directed Kiran to appear at the ED’s Kochi office at 10.30 am on February 14, 2023.
The ED registered the ECIR in connection with the SNC Lavalin case in 2020. The action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED summoned Dilip Rahul, a director of Lavalin, after receiving information that he had paid for the education expenses of the Chief Minister’s son Vivek Kiran .The Enforcement Directorate has stated that Dilip Rahul’s policy was to make officials and political leaders to get things done according to his and the institution’s wishes by paying them
The ED summoned Vivek Kiran to cross-check the information provided by Rahul in his statement and collect related documents and other details . However, no further action was taken on this summons. It is reported that Vivek Kiran did not appear at the ED office as per the summons. What transpired afterwards remains a mystery
The SNC Lavalin case was registered by the CBI in 2007. The charge sheet was filed in 2009. The charge sheet was filed against Pinarayi Vijayan and others as accused.
However, Pinarayi Vijayan was acquitted through a discharge petition. This verdict was upheld by the Kerala High Court. The CBI has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict. The appeal is still pending in the Supreme Court.
The Enforcement Directorate, which had been silent for around 15 years, registered an ECIR in the Lavalin case in 2020.
Meanwhile, Congress leaderAnil has filed a petition demanding immediate questioning of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s son Vivek Kiran as per the summons issued by the agency in 2023 . The complaint was filed with the Central Finance Department and the ED Director.