ED Raids Ex-Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s Residence
Enforcement Directorate conducts searches in money-laundering probe linked to CMRL-Exalogic case
- ED raids 12 locations across Kerala in PMLA case
- Searches conducted at former CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s Thiruvananthapuram residence
- Probe linked to alleged Rs 1.72 crore payment to T Veena’s firm
- Kerala High Court recently refused to quash ED proceedings
GG News Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram, 27th May: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at properties linked to former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as part of a money-laundering investigation connected to alleged financial transactions involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions.
The searches began around 6 am under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and covered 12 locations across Kerala, including Vijayan’s rented residence in Thiruvananthapuram and another house linked to him in Kannur.
According to reports, investigators are examining digital devices, financial documents and transaction records related to alleged monthly payments made by CMRL to Exalogic Solutions, a company owned by Vijayan’s daughter T Veena.
The ED is probing allegations that CMRL paid Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions between 2018 and 2019 without receiving any services in return. The matter had earlier surfaced during an Income Tax Department raid in 2019, during which alleged financial irregularities amounting to Rs 132.82 crore were detected through inflated expenditure claims.
The agency also questioned T Veena on Wednesday and conducted searches at a residence linked to PA Mohammed Riyas, her husband. Officials are also questioning Sharan S Kartha, son of CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha and a member of the company’s board.
The raids came a day after the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition filed by CMRL seeking to quash the ED proceedings in the case.
The ED registered the PMLA case in 2024 to investigate alleged money laundering and suspicious financial transactions involving the company. Investigators are examining fund sources, corporate records and transaction trails linked to Exalogic Solutions and CMRL.
Apart from the ED investigation, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) is also probing the matter and has reportedly named T Veena as an accused. Agencies suspect company expenditures were inflated and funds diverted through questionable transactions involving influential persons.
Meanwhile, the political atmosphere in Kerala has intensified following the recent Assembly election results in which the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a decisive victory with 102 seats, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Vijayan was reduced to 35 seats in the 140-member Assembly.
On Tuesday, five police personnel attached to Vijayan, including his gunmen, were suspended over allegations linked to attacks on Youth Congress and KSU workers during protests against the Nava Kerala Yatra in December 2023. The action followed findings by a Special Investigation Team constituted after the change in government.
