ED conducts statewide raids in Kerala over alleged CMRL-Exalogic payments
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at premises linked to former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation tied to alleged financial transactions involving his daughter’s company.
According to officials, the ED carried out raids at 12 locations across Kerala under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), including Vijayan’s rented residence in Thiruvananthapuram.
The investigation revolves around allegations that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) transferred nearly Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions, a company linked to Vijayan’s daughter T Veena, between 2018 and 2019 without receiving any corresponding services.
The agency suspects the payments may have been part of a larger financial irregularity and registered a PMLA case in 2024 to examine the transactions and related documents.
The searches came a day after the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition filed by CMRL seeking to quash the ED proceedings in the matter, clearing the way for the probe agency to continue its investigation.
The case has triggered a fresh political storm in Kerala, with opposition parties demanding accountability while the ruling Left camp has accused central agencies of politically motivated action.
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