High drama unfolded outside the residence of ex Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan (Img: Internet)
Thiruvananthapuram: High drama unfolded outside the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday after CPI(M) workers allegedly attacked a vehicle belonging to Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during searches linked to the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case.
The protest erupted in Thiruvananthapuram as ED teams carried out raids at around 10 locations across Kerala under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Police personnel deployed for crowd control were also injured during the clashes outside Vijayan’s residence.
Tension erupted in Thiruvananthapuram as CPI(M) workers allegedly attacked an ED vehicle during searches at former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence in the CMRL case. Police personnel were also injured during crowd control.#Kerala #PinarayiVijayan #EDRaid #CMRLCase #CPIM pic.twitter.com/zMthXGrWP3
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) May 27, 2026
The ED searches are connected to alleged financial transactions involving Exalogic Solutions, a company owned by Vijayan’s daughter Veena Vijayan. Investigators are probing claims that CMRL paid nearly Rs 1.72 crore to the firm between 2017-18 and 2018-19 despite no services allegedly being provided.
The fresh action by the ED came a day after the Kerala High Court refused to quash the agency’s investigation into the case. Petitions filed by CMRL and some company officials challenging the probe were dismissed by the court.
ED raids former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence in CMRL case
The money laundering case was registered in 2024 based on findings by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and other agencies examining alleged irregular payments linked to Exalogic Solutions.
Officials are expected to examine financial records, electronic devices, and digital evidence collected during the searches. The ED has not yet issued an official statement regarding the raids or any recovery made during the operation.
The CPI(M) strongly condemned the searches, accusing the BJP-led Centre of misusing central agencies against opposition leaders. Party general secretary M A Baby described the raids as a targeted political attack on Pinarayi Vijayan.
Meanwhile, opposition parties in Kerala demanded accountability and transparency over the alleged transactions connected to the case. Neither Pinarayi Vijayan nor Veena Vijayan has been formally charged in court in connection with the investigation so far.
The developments have intensified the political atmosphere in Kerala, with protests continuing outside locations searched by the ED.
