Ex-Keralam CM Pinarayi Vijayan Under Political Spotlight as ED Intensifies CMRL Investigation

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out searches at ten locations across Keralam, including the residence of former Chief Minister and current Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, in connection with the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case.

Officials said the searches began early in the morning and were conducted on the basis of specific inputs related to the accused linked to controversial financial transactions involving CMRL. The case has remained one of the most politically sensitive controversies in Kerala politics in recent years.

The ED action comes a day after the Kerala High Court refused to quash the agency’s investigation into the CMRL case.

The agency is probing the matter after registering an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). CMRL and its officials had approached the High Court seeking to quash the ED proceedings, arguing that the agency lacked jurisdiction because no scheduled offence under the PMLA had been established.

With the High Court declining to intervene, the ED intensified its investigation through coordinated searches across the state.

How Pinarayi Vijayan Became Politically Linked to the Case

Though the case does not directly involve Vijayan, the controversy gained major political traction after allegations emerged that CMRL made questionable payments to Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, an IT firm owned by Vijayan’s daughter, Veena Thaikkandiyil.

The allegations centred around claims that monthly payments were made by CMRL to Exalogic without corresponding services being provided. The Opposition repeatedly targeted Vijayan over the issue, accusing his family of benefiting from dubious financial dealings.

The controversy became one of the biggest political challenges faced by the Vijayan government during its tenure and continued to dominate political discourse in Kerala.

Multiple Agencies Investigate the Matter

Apart from the ED probe under the PMLA, the case is also being investigated by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office.

The overlapping investigations have kept the matter under constant scrutiny, especially due to its political implications and the allegations involving a company linked to the former chief minister’s family.

Separate ED Searches in Tamil Nadu Drug Smuggling Case

In a separate development, the ED on Tuesday conducted searches at five locations across Madurai and Chennai in connection with an alleged international drug smuggling syndicate accused of trafficking narcotics to Sri Lanka through sea routes.

Officials said the cartel allegedly smuggled 99 kg of hashish valued at around Rs 108 crore and 37.5 kg of Methamphetamine, commonly known as “ICE,” estimated to be worth nearly Rs 150 crore in the international market.

The investigation is being carried out by the ED’s Chennai Zonal Office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act based on two criminal complaints filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence against alleged kingpin John Britto and his associates under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Customs Act.

According to officials, acting on intelligence inputs from the Indian Coast Guard, the DRI had seized 99 kg of hashish from a fishing boat in the Gulf of Mannar on March 5, 2024. Three individuals identified as Ramish, Jansan, and Prathap were allegedly caught while transporting the consignment to Sri Lanka on Britto’s instructions.

(With inputs from ANI)