Enforcement Directorate Searches Homes in CMRL Money Laundering Probe

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at residences linked to former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan as part of a money laundering investigation involving CMRL. The probe targets transactions between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions tied to Vijayan's daughter. Violent protests erupted during the raids.

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday launched a series of searches at properties linked to Pinarayi Vijayan, the former chief minister of Kerala, as part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering involving Cochin Minerals And Rutile Ltd (CMRL). Officials stated that the searches also targeted other locations connected to the firm.

These operations covered 10 sites across various cities, including Trivandrum, Kannur, and Ernakulam, and are directly tied to financial transactions between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions, a company owned by Vijayan's daughter, Veena. During the searches, the ED froze assets worth over Rs 18 crore, discovered in hundreds of accounts.

Amid the ED's actions, violent disturbances occurred as alleged CPI(M) supporters protested outside Vijayan's residence, reportedly blocking and damaging the vehicles of the officials. The Enforcement Directorate decried these acts, attributing them to a premeditated attack and has taken legal steps.

The investigation followed a Supreme Court decision upholding ED's authority in probing allegations that CMRL made illicit payments to Exalogic Solutions for non-existent IT services, thus involving Vijayan and others in the purported laundering of funds.