{
  "id": 7972975,
  "title": "CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case: Sasidharan Kartha too retracted statement to ED",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/cmrl-exalogic-pay-off-case-sasidharan-kartha-too-retracted-statement",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T07:03:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cmrl-exalogic-pay-off-case-sasidharan-kartha-too-retracted-statement-to-ed/article71475594.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) managing director S.N. Sasidharan Kartha, along with former CFO and CGM P. Suresh Kumar, have retracted their statements to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Exalogic-CMRL pay-off case. Kartha's retraction affidavit, submitted in 2024, detailed admissions of transferring funds to vendors and withdrawing cash without genuine expenses, as well as payments to T. Veena, daughter of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, without services rendered. The ED has since sought to register a separate FIR against Vijayan, former Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, and Veena for alleged bribery. Both Suresh Kumar and current CMRL CGM have also submitted retraction affidavits, citing intimidation and high-handed conduct by ED officials during their interrogations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}