The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday carried out raids at properties linked to former Kerala Chief Minister and current Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan and his son-in-law, former minister Mohammed Riyas, in connection with the Exalogic-CMRL case.

The searches are part of the ED’s widening investigation into alleged illegal financial transactions involving Exalogic Solutions and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). Officials are conducting raids at 12 locations linked to the case.

According to reports, ED teams searched Pinarayi Vijayan’s rented residence in Thiruvananthapuram, where he and his daughter Veena Vijayan are believed to have been present. Simultaneously, raids were also carried out at Mohammed Riyas’ residence in Kottooli, Kozhikode.

The latest development comes a day after the Kerala High Court refused to quash the Enforcement Directorate's (ED's) investigation in the money laundering case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

What is the Exalogic-CMRL controversy?

The ED investigation centres around allegations of bribery and money laundering linked to transactions between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions, the IT firm owned by Veena Vijayan.

Investigators are probing claims that CMRL illegally transferred large sums of money to Exalogic Solutions. The alleged transactions have triggered a major political controversy in Kerala, with the then opposition parties repeatedly targeting the CPM leadership over the issue.

The case first gained attention following scrutiny into financial dealings involving CMRL, after which central agencies launched separate investigations into the matter.