ED Searches Homes of Pinarayi Vijayan and Family in Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at residences linked to Pinarayi Vijayan, former Kerala chief minister, over a money laundering case involving his daughter and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. Violence erupted during the operation. ED officials plan to lodge a complaint regarding the attack on their teams.

The Enforcement Directorate intensified its investigation into a money laundering case by raiding multiple locations linked to former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter. The searches, part of an inquiry regarding fraud connected to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd, included Vijayan's home and other family premises.

Officials began the operation early in the morning, covering areas in Kerala's capital, Ernakulam, Kannur, and Bengaluru. Violence sparked when suspected CPI(M) workers clashed with the officers. The incident led to the damage of vehicles and calls by the ED to file a police report.

Vijayan dismissed the raids as a political vendetta meant to undermine opposition leaders. He maintained that these actions would not deter him or his political aspirations. The controversy centers around fraudulent financial operations involving Vijayan's daughter's company and clandestine payments for consultancy services.

The probe was authorized following the Kerala High Court's approval, highlighting the basis of a Serious Fraud Investigation Office complaint. The scrutiny was initially triggered by a 2019 Income Tax Department raid that unearthed substantial falsified expenses within CMRL.