Kerala Government Orders Inquiry Into Pinarayi Vijayan Bribery Case

The Government of Kerala ordered a police inquiry on September 22, 2026, into allegations of money laundering and bribery involving former Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law Muhammad Riyas. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced that Director General of Police Ravada Chandrasekhar will lead the investigation following legal consultations with the Attorney General and Chief Minister VD Satheesan.

The probe follows a report from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which alleges that Vijayan received kickbacks from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). The ED claims that Veena T's company, Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, received fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore and loans of Rs 50 lakh from CMRL and its associate, Empower India Capital Investment Private Limited, without providing services. The agency further alleges that bribes totaling Rs 3.28 crore were routed through hawala channels managed by Riyas. As part of its investigation, the ED froze approximately Rs 18.36 crore across 242 accounts and conducted raids in Thiruvananthapuram, Pinarayi, and Bengaluru.

Muhammad Riyas denied the allegations, stating he would move forward with confidence. The CPI(M) condemned the inquiry as a "Congress-BJP conspiracy" and "political vendetta," criticizing the Congress-led state government for cooperating with a central agency it typically opposes. Pinarayi Vijayan previously described the ED's allegations as "shameful and ludicrous."