Ex-Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's House Raided By Probe Agency

Searches are being conducted at former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Thiruvananthapuram house by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in connection with a money-laundering case.

The probe agency raided 12 locations across the state, starting at 6 am, including Vijayan's rental house in the state capital, under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Searches were also conducted at a Kannur residence linked to Vijayan.

Investigators are understood to be examining digital devices, financial documents and transaction records connected to the alleged monthly payments, PTI reported.

It is alleged that a private company named Cochin Minerals And Rutile Ltd (CMRL), made an illegal payment of Rs 1.72 crore to Vijayan's daughter T Veena's company Exalogic Solutions during 2018 to 2019, even though the IT firm had not provided any service to the company. During a 2019 Income Tax Department raid during which officials allegedly detected irregularities worth Rs 132.82 crore through inflated expenditure claims.

The ED also questioned T Veena on Wednesday, apart from conducting searched at the house linked to Beypore MLA PA Mohammed Riyas, her husband. ED officials are questioning Sharan S Kartha, son of CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha and a member of the company's board of directors, sources said.

The raids came after the Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by the CMRL seeking to quash the ED proceedings in the case.

The ED had filed a PMLA case to probe the allegations in 2024. The issue had remained one of the most politically sensitive controversies faced by the Vijayan government. 

The ED is examining details of the source of funds, company-related documents, and transaction trails connected to Exalogic Solutions and CMRL. Sources said investigators are also scrutinising records linked to the financial dealings and corporate structures associated with the case.

Apart from the ED probe, the case is also being investigated by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, which had named T Veena as an accused in the case. Investigators suspect that company expenditure was allegedly inflated and funds diverted to political figures and other influential persons through questionable transactions.

On Tuesday, five police personnel attached to Vijayan, including his gunmen, were suspended while the state government simultaneously weighed strong action against senior police officer MR Ajith Kumar over allegations of attempting to derail the investigation.

The action followed the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed soon after VD Satheesan took over as Chief Minister, which reportedly concluded that the officers had unlawfully used force and weapons while attacking Youth Congress and KSU workers during protests against Vijayan's Nava Kerala Yatra in Alappuzha in December 2023.

After Satheesan took oath as the Chief Minister, Vijayan fast took up the mantle of the leader of opposition. He said the people of the state were eager to know what steps the United Democratic Front (UDF) government would take to implement its own stand, raise its voice against the central government and reduce taxes. He said imposing fuel price hikes despite a fall in Brent crude prices amounted to "daylight robbery".

Vijayan, a two-time chief minister, lost power after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) was defeated in the recent state Assembly elections. The LDF currently holds just 35 of the 140 seats in the Assembly. On the other hand, the Congress-led UDF is set to form the government after winning 102 seats.