The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 27 carried out searches at 12 locations across Kerala, including the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to the CMRL case.
The searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and covered premises connected to individuals and entities under investigation. The case relates to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), where agencies are probing alleged irregular financial transactions, including suspected payments made without corresponding services.
Officials said the action was based on information gathered during earlier investigations, with teams examining financial records, documents, and transaction trails to determine possible money laundering violations. However, the agency has not disclosed specific findings or confirmed whether any seizures were made during the raids.
The ED action triggered strong political reactions in Kerala. While opposition parties demanded clarity over the allegations and supported a detailed probe, ruling party leaders criticised the timing of the raids and alleged political targeting.
Tensions escalated outside some locations where searches were underway. According to reports, protests broke out involving workers linked to the CPI(M), who gathered near ED operations and raised slogans against the agency. In some areas, the situation turned violent, with protestors allegedly clashing with police personnel deployed at the sites.
Media reports showed that ED vehicle was attacked during the protests, with stone pelting reported amid heightened tensions. Security forces intervened to control the crowd and restore order as the situation briefly turned volatile.
The development attracted attention because of Pinarayi Vijayan’s political significance in Kerala and the sensitivity surrounding the case. However, the Enforcement Directorate has not publicly disclosed specific findings from the searches or clarified whether any materials were seized during the operation.
