CPM calls ED raids ‘politically motivated’, launches protests in kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The city witnessed tense scenes on Wednesday after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducted searches at properties linked to former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) monthly payment case, which reportedly involves his daughter.

The sudden raids triggered a wave of political and media activity across the state, with security forces deployed outside key residences while investigation teams carried out searches.

Heavy security outside homes in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur

Armed central security personnel were stationed outside Vijayan’s two-storey residence at Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram, as well as his home in Kannur district, while ED teams conducted coordinated searches at both locations.

According to sources, Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family members were present inside the rented residence at Bakery Junction during the operation.

Soon after news of the raids spread, television journalists, photographers and camera crews rushed to the locations, turning the areas into tightly packed media zones.

Parallel raids at family-linked properties

Search operations were not limited to the former Chief Minister’s residences. Simultaneous ED raids were also carried out at the Kozhikode residence of his son-in-law and former minister P A Mohammed Riyas.

Officials said that around 10 premises across Kerala were covered under the broader investigation being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

CPM workers protest, call action politically driven

As the raids unfolded, CPI(M) workers gathered outside Vijayan’s ancestral home in Pinarayi village in Kannur district. Protesters raised slogans against the Enforcement Directorate, accusing it of acting under political influence and targeting the party.

Senior CPM leader and general secretary M A Baby also strongly criticised the action, calling the raids “politically motivated” and describing them as a “heinous attack”.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Baby said the party would demonstrate before the public that the ED action was politically driven. He also alleged that two ministers in the cabinet of current Chief Minister VD Satheesan had received money from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd and claimed this should also have been investigated.

Allegations centre on payments to company owned by daughter

The case under scrutiny is linked to allegations that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) made payments amounting to Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions, a company owned by Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter T Veena.

According to officials, these payments were made between 2018 and 2019. Investigators allege that the funds were transferred without any corresponding services being provided in return, forming the basis of the money laundering probe.

Kerala High Court order came just a day earlier

The ED action comes shortly after a key legal development in the case. On the previous day, the Kerala High Court rejected a petition filed by CMRL seeking to quash the Enforcement Directorate proceedings.

The dismissal of the plea effectively allowed the agency to continue its investigation, following which the raids were carried out across multiple locations in the state.

Agency inputs