The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted raids at multiple locations across Kerala, including the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, as part of its investigation into the CMRL-linked money laundering case.
Officials said the searches were connected to alleged financial transactions involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a company linked to Vijayan’s daughter T Veena. The ED is probing allegations that payments worth around ₹1.72 crore were made to the firm without corresponding services being provided.
Search operations reportedly covered around 10 to 12 premises, including residences linked to Vijayan, his son-in-law and former minister P A Mohammed Riyas, and locations associated with CMRL officials. Reports said ED teams conducted searches under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The raids came a day after the Kerala High Court declined to quash the ED investigation into the case, allowing the agency’s probe to continue. Investigators are examining whether the alleged transactions violated anti-money laundering laws.
The CPI(M) criticized the raids, calling them politically motivated, while opposition parties said the investigation should proceed transparently. The case has emerged as one of the most politically sensitive investigations in Kerala in recent years.
