27 May,2026 09:07 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | mid-day online correspondent
Pinarayi Vijayan. File Pic/PTI
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out searches at the residence of senior CPI(M) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram as part of its probe into the alleged CMRL-Exalogic financial transactions case. The agency has also recorded the statement of his daughter, Veena Vijayan, whose IT company Exalogic Solutions is under investigation.
The raids came a day after the Kerala High Court allowed the ED to continue its investigation into the alleged transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions.
According to officials, ED teams began coordinated searches around 6 a.m. at nearly 10 locations across Kerala. One of the key locations was Vijayan's rented residence near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram, where Veena Vijayan is also understood to reside.
Search operations were also carried out at offices linked to CMRL and at premises associated with senior company executives, including Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha. Investigators reportedly examined digital devices, financial records and documents connected to the alleged payments made to Exalogic Solutions.
The ED also conducted searches at locations linked to P.A. Mohammed Riyas, the CPI(M) legislator from Beypore and husband of Veena Vijayan.
The central agency is probing allegations that Exalogic Solutions received monthly payments from CMRL without providing any legitimate services in return. Earlier observations by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and Income Tax authorities had reportedly flagged the transactions as suspicious.
Investigators are examining whether the payments were structured as "monthly retainers" and if they violated provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The probe is also looking into possible tax-related and foreign exchange violations.
While Pinarayi Vijayan has not been questioned so far, officials indicated that his statement could also be recorded as the investigation progresses.
On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court dismissed petitions filed by CMRL and some of its officials seeking to quash the ED investigation. The court observed that there appeared to be prima facie material warranting further investigation into alleged money laundering aspects of the case.
The ruling effectively cleared the path for the ED to intensify its probe, leading to the searches and questioning conducted on Wednesday.
The case has emerged as one of the most politically sensitive investigations involving a senior CPI(M) leader in recent years. Opposition parties have repeatedly targeted the Left government over the allegations, while the ruling Left Democratic Front has maintained that the investigation is politically motivated.
The ED's decision to raid the residence of a senior Politburo member and former chief minister is expected to further intensify the political debate in Kerala ahead of upcoming political campaigns and public outreach programmes.
Officials indicated that additional summons could be issued to individuals connected to the case in the coming days. The ED is expected to continue examining financial records and digital evidence as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged CMRL-Exalogic transactions.
(With inputs from Agencies)
