ED Raids Ex-Kerala CM Pinarayi's House Over Money Laundering Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate launched investigations in Kerala targeting former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over money laundering allegations. This move comes after the High Court dismissed Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited's petition to halt ED proceedings, intensifying political tensions.
Highlights
- •ED raids multiple high-profile sites in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur
- •Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's residence was searched during these investigations
- •CPM protests against what they perceive as attacks on their leader's integrity
- •Case involves allegations of bribery and money laundering linked to CMRL
Thiruvananthapuram, India - On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a significant raid on 10 locations across Kerala, including the residence of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, just hours after the Kerala High Court disposed of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited's petition to halt investigations. The raids followed a series of allegations against Veena Vijayan, daughter of Pinarayi and wife of Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammad Riyas, concerning payments from CMRL.
The ED investigation stems from the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), alleging that CMRL had bribed public servants, including Veena Vijayan and her firm Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd. Law enforcement teams recorded Veena's statement just hours after the High Court dismissed the company's plea to stay proceedings for alleged bribery and money laundering crimes.
Key Locations Involved:
The raids targeted multiple high-profile establishments, including the CMRL office in Thiruvananthapuram, the residences of key figures like CMRL MD Sasidharan Kartha, and the homes of Pinarayi Vijayan himself, who was staying at a rented house during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram. Additionally, his home in Pinarayi in Kannur was also inspected.
The ED team conducted thorough searches in Kozhikode where the residences of Mohammed Riyas and CMRL's top executives were also raided.
CPM Response:
In a strong reaction, CPM workers gathered outside Vijayan's house in Kannur, staging protests. Party leaders accused the central government and its BJP allies of using this attack to create political divisions. Meanwhile, CPM General Secretary M A Baby criticized these actions as an attempt by the ED and center to defame one of the leading figures in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala. He cited prior cases against AAP leaders which were later dismissed by the courts to argue that such tactics would not succeed.
These raids come on the heels of the recent high-level meeting between the ruling BJP government and Chief Minister V D Satheeshan, with allegations of a potential deal undermining CPM's standing within Kerala's political landscape.
