{
  "id": 7733918,
  "title": "CMRL pay-off case: official retracts statement to ED",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/cmrl-pay-off-case-official-retracts-statement-to-ed",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T07:35:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cmrl-pay-off-case-official-retracts-statement-to-ed/article71471429.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A former official at Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) has retracted his statement to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that initially led to the recommendation of a First Information Report (FIR) against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The ED had initially sought the registration of an FIR against Vijayan, former Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, and Vijayan's daughter, T. Veena, and Riyas's spouse, based on allegations of receiving a bribe of ₹3.28 crore. The former official, CMRL Chief Financial Officer and Chief General Manager P. Suresh Kumar, submitted his retraction on May 15, 2024, citing intimidation and pressure during his ED interrogation. The ED's report accused Riyas of receiving bribes and transferring funds to Dubai through Veena and known associates, while Veena allegedly assisted Vijayan and Riyas in collecting and routing the bribe funds.",
  "summary": "It has now come to light that P. Suresh Kumar submitted a retraction statement to the ED Directorate in Delhi, alleging “illegal and high-handed conduct of the officers of the Kochi office of the Enforcement Directorate.”",
  "key_points": [
    "Former CMRL CFO P. Suresh Kumar retracts statement to ED",
    "FIR against Vijayan, Riyas, T. Veena, and Riyas's spouse recommended",
    "Retraction cites intimidation and pressure during ED interrogation"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}