Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive searches at the residences of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several others on Wednesday. The coordinated operations span across 10 to 12 locations in the state, including Vijayan’s rental home in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram, his residence in Kannur, and premises linked to his daughter, T Veena. Officials confirmed that the ongoing searches are being executed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, marking a major escalation in the high-profile political investigation.
The central agency’s action comes immediately after the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition filed by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited on Tuesday. The private company had sought to quash the enforcement proceedings and block the summons issued to its top executives. Justice T.R. Ravi ruled that the challenge was premature, clarifying that the central agency is authorized to issue summons and progress with a money-laundering investigation even without a prior First Information Report, thereby clearing the legal path for Wednesday’s crackdown.
At the core of the money-laundering case is an alleged illegal financial transaction between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions, an IT firm owned and managed by Vijayan’s daughter, T Veena. Investigators allege that the private chemical company made unauthorized monthly payments totaling 1.72 crore rupees to Exalogic Solutions between 2017 and 2020. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office and the enforcement directorate maintain that these substantial funds were transferred under the guise of IT and marketing consultancy services, despite the tech firm failing to render any actual services to CMRL.
The political stakes have risen significantly as central investigators examine digital devices, financial records, and corporate transaction documents at the raided premises. Alongside the former Chief Minister’s residences, searches also targeted the office of CMRL in Aluva, the home of its Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha, and the residence of Beypore legislator P.A. Mohammed Riyas, who is Veena’s husband. While the central agency has previously recorded statements from Veena Vijayan regarding the corporate accounts, the current operations indicate a widening net that now directly involves the senior leadership of the political party.
