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• The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at multiple locations linked to former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL case.
• Raids covered residences of Vijayan’s family members, senior officials and entities linked to alleged financial transactions.
• The probe relates to alleged payments made by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd to Exalogic Solutions, linked to Vijayan’s daughter.
• Political tensions escalated in Kerala after protests erupted outside locations searched by ED officials.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations across Kerala earlier this week in connection with an alleged money laundering investigation linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), including premises associated with former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family members. The raids formed part of the agency’s ongoing probe into alleged financial transactions involving private entities and politically connected individuals. Advertisement
According to reports, ED officials carried out searches at nearly 10 locations, including residences linked to Vijayan’s relatives, offices of business entities under investigation and properties associated with senior CMRL officials. The searches were conducted under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following scrutiny of alleged payments made by CMRL to Exalogic Solutions, an IT firm linked to Vijayan’s daughter, Veena Vijayan.
Investigators are examining allegations that Exalogic Solutions received payments from CMRL over several years without corresponding services being rendered. The matter had previously drawn attention after disclosures related to financial transactions surfaced during proceedings before the Serious Fraud Investigation Office and income tax authorities. The ED is reportedly assessing whether the transactions constituted proceeds of crime under money laundering provisions.
The searches triggered political protests in several parts of Kerala. Demonstrators gathered outside premises linked to the investigation, including Vijayan’s residence, where tensions reportedly escalated during the movement of ED officials. Media reports stated that a vehicle carrying agency personnel was attacked after one of the searches concluded. Security arrangements were subsequently strengthened in affected areas.
Leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) criticised the ED action and alleged political misuse of central investigative agencies. Party representatives stated that the searches were politically motivated and intended to target opposition leaders ahead of upcoming political developments in the state. Opposition parties, however, demanded greater transparency in the financial dealings under investigation and called for a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged transactions.
The CMRL-related controversy has remained under public and political scrutiny for several months due to allegations surrounding consultancy payments and financial arrangements involving private firms connected to politically exposed individuals. Earlier investigations by tax authorities had reportedly examined payments made to multiple entities during the relevant assessment period.
Officials have not disclosed details regarding documents or digital records seized during the raids. The ED is expected to continue examining financial records, company transactions and statements from individuals linked to the case as part of the broader money laundering investigation.
The developments have intensified political confrontation in Kerala, with both ruling and opposition parties trading allegations over corruption, misuse of investigative agencies and accountability in financial transactions involving politically connected entities.
Source - PTI
5th Jun, 2025
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