Raids Target Properties Linked to Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala Payment Case

Kerala was caught off guard on Wednesday when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched raids at locations connected to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan concerning a reported payment scandal involving his daughter. The central security forces were present at major sites, including the two-storey house at Bakery junction and Vijayan's Kannur residence.

Television crews rapidly converged on these places following news of the operation. According to sources, Vijayan, a CPI(M) politburo member, and his family remained inside their rented home during the ED's search. The operation extended to his son-in-law, P A Mohammed Riyas' residence in Kozhikode, raising significant political tension.

Amidst the dramatic scenes, CPI(M) faithful gathered outside Vijayan's residence, denouncing the ED's actions as a politically motivated maneuver by the BJP-led central authority. M A Baby, CPI(M) general secretary, labeled the raids as a dire attack, vowing to expose the political agenda that he believes drives them.

The allegations center around Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), accused of paying Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions, owned by Vijayan's daughter T Veena, from 2018 to 2019 for services that were never rendered. ED's actions occurred under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and the Kerala High Court had recently dismissed CMRL's plea to halt the proceedings.

(With inputs from agencies.)