Thiruvananthapuram Oct 13
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's son, Vivek Kiran Vijayan, has sparked renewed political attention after it emerged that the notice is connected to the SNC Lavalin case, rather than the Life Mission case as previously reported.
The case, currently pending in the Supreme Court, relates to alleged irregularities in the modernization of power generators when Vijayan was Kerala's Electricity Minister in the E.K. Nayanar government in 1996.
The ED had originally issued the summons in 2023 as part of its investigation into money laundering complaints linked to the SNC Lavalin deal.
Vivek Kiran did not appear for questioning, and no further action has been recorded, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
The investigation itself was launched in 2020 following a complaint by journalist Crime Nandakumar, who was examined in 2021.
Incidentally, eyebrows were raised when it surfaced that Vijayan allegedly did not inform his party about it, as was stated by a few senior CPI-M leaders.
Amid the inaction, Congress leader Anil Akkara on Monday submitted a complaint to the central finance ministry and the ED Director, demanding that Vivek Kiran be questioned immediately.
"Despite the summons, no steps have been taken, raising serious concerns about transparency and equal application of law," he said.
The Congress leaders have pointed out that party forums of the Chief Minister were not informed about the notice to his son.
The CPI-M has repeatedly accused the central government of using the ED to target political adversaries, but the non-disclosure of the summons has added to the political controversy.
With Kerala scheduled for local body elections later this year and Assembly polls in April-May next year, the unresolved ED summons to the CM's son has become a politically sensitive issue, drawing attention from opposition leaders, civil society, and the media, and fueling debates over transparency and accountability in governance.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Law should be equal for everyone, whether it's CM's son or common man. The fact that he didn't appear for questioning and no action was taken raises serious questions. Our institutions need to be stronger and more independent.
As someone following Kerala politics, this timing is suspicious with elections coming up. But equally concerning is that the CM didn't inform his own party about the summons. Transparency should start from within the party itself. 🤔
ED has become a political tool for all parties when in power. When BJP uses it, opposition cries foul. When opposition is in power in states, they make similar allegations. The real victims are common citizens who lose faith in institutions.
Whether it's SNC Lavalin or Life Mission, the common thread is lack of accountability. Cases from 1996 still pending in Supreme Court? Our judicial system needs urgent reforms. Justice delayed is justice denied for the people of Kerala.
While I respect the CPI-M's work in Kerala's development, this non-disclosure is disappointing. Political parties should practice what they preach about transparency. The people deserve better from all political leaders.
This is exactly why young people are losing interest in politics. So
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