The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) regarding allegations of ₹1.72 crore in fictitious payments made to Veena Vijayan, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This payment was purportedly for software services that were never rendered. The investigation stems from findings by the Cochin Income Tax Department, which revealed that CMRL inflated its expenses by ₹135.54 crore between the financial years 2012-13 and 2018-19, allegedly to facilitate illegal payments to various entities, including politicians and public servants. The ED's case relies on evidence seized during a search of CMRL's former Chief Financial Officer's residence and statements from CMRL executives. The Income Tax Settlement Commission confirmed the inflation of expenses and ruled against the legitimacy of the payment to Vijayan's firm. The ED has indicated that these actions resulted in financial losses for CMRL's shareholders and may constitute criminal offenses under the Indian Penal Code and the Companies Act, prompting further investigations by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and the Kerala Police.