Enforcement Directorate Raids Kerala's Pinarayi Vijayan's Residence

The Enforcement Directorate executed searches at former Kerala leader Pinarayi Vijayan's home linked to an inquiry involving his daughter, Veena. The investigation focuses on alleged improper transactions between Cochin Minerals And Rutile Ltd and Veena's company. Recent judicial backing allows the ED to further its investigation.

Officials from the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the former Kerala leader Pinarayi Vijayan's residence as part of a money laundering inquiry related to his daughter, Veena. The searches extended to ten locations in the state, including key figures associated with Cochin Minerals And Rutile Ltd (CMRL).

The investigation revolves around an alleged illegal payment of Rs 1.72 crore from CMRL to Veena’s IT company, Exalogic Solutions. Allegedly, these payments occurred between 2017 and 2020 without any services rendered in return. The matter intensified legally when the Kerala High Court dismissed CMRL's attempt to halt the ED investigation.

Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly denied these allegations, suggesting they were intended to damage his reputation. Previously ousted by the Congress-led UDF in the recent Assembly elections, he has been nominated as the leader of opposition in the Kerala Assembly by his party.

The ED case was initiated in 2024 following the Serious Fraud Investigation Office's complaint. This move came after allegations surfaced from the Income Tax Department questioning specific financial transactions involving CMRL and Exalogic Solutions, raising concerns about their validity.