THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tension escalated in Kerala on Wednesday after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers following a massive raid at the residence of former Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) money laundering case.

The ED conducted simultaneous searches at around 10 to 12 locations across Kerala, including Vijayan’s rented house at Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram, his ancestral home in Kannur, the residence of his daughter T. Veena, son-in-law P.A. Mohamed Riyas in Kozhikode, and premises linked to CMRL executives. The raids, which lasted nearly seven hours at Vijayan’s residence, were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The case revolves around allegations that CMRL, a private company, made illegal payments totalling around ₹1.72 crore to T. Veena’s IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, between 2018 and 2019 without receiving any actual services. The ED is probing whether these transactions were a means to launder money and if there was any quid pro quo during Vijayan’s tenure as Chief Minister.

As the ED team was leaving Vijayan’s residence, a large group of CPI(M) supporters gathered outside and allegedly turned violent. Protesters pelted stones, eggs, and slippers at the ED vehicles, smashed windshields, and damaged several cars. One policeman accompanying the team was injured in the clash. Security personnel had to intervene to escort the officials safely out of the area. Police have registered cases and detained several individuals.

The CPI(M) strongly condemned the ED action, terming it “political vendetta” by the BJP-led Central Government aimed at harassing opposition leaders. Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Centre of misusing central agencies to target political opponents.

The incident has triggered a major political storm in Kerala, with opposition parties demanding a fair probe while the ruling front alleges misuse of investigative agencies. The ED is expected to continue its investigation into the CMRL-Exalogic money trail in the coming days.