ED Raids Former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 10 premises across Kerala on May 27, 2026, including the residences of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur and the home of P.A. Mohammed Riyas in Kozhikode. The operations followed a May 26 Kerala High Court ruling that dismissed a petition by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) to quash the probe. The investigation centers on allegations that CMRL made fraudulent payments—estimated between 1.72 crore and 2.78 crore rupees—to Exalogic Solutions, a firm owned by Vijayan's daughter, Veena, without receiving services.

During the raids, the ED froze approximately 18.36 crore rupees across 242 accounts and recovered digital evidence. The actions triggered violent protests by Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) cadres, who attacked ED vehicles in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. Simultaneously, CPI(M) members staged protests at the ED headquarters in New Delhi, resulting in the detention of senior leaders including General Secretary M.A. Baby and Brinda Karat.

Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the raids as a "political vendetta" and "political interference" orchestrated by the BJP-led central government. He further criticized the Congress party's perceived complacency regarding the targeting of opposition figures. Conversely, BJP leaders denounced the violence against ED officials as an assault on the rule of law. On May 29, CMRL filed an appeal with the Kerala High Court to halt the investigation, arguing that the ED lacks jurisdiction while the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) is already conducting an inquiry.