The Enforcement Directorate carried out coordinated searches at twelve sites in Kerala on May 27 as part of a money laundering investigation involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. and Exalogic Solutions, the IT company linked to Veena Vijayan. Locations included the Chief Minister’s rented home in Thiruvananthapuram, the Kozhikode residence of former minister Mohammed Riyas, and CMRL offices connected to mineral sand operations. The operation began early in the morning. It followed a Kerala High Court ruling that dismissed a CMRL petition against agency summons, allowing the probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to proceed. Investigators allege CMRL transferred about 1.72 crore rupees to Exalogic Solutions from 2015 to 2020 without corresponding services. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office is also reviewing related transactions. After the raids, supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) assembled near the targeted sites and protested against the central government. Security forces kept demonstrators at a distance. A Rajya Sabha member was reportedly prevented from entering one residence. In statements, party figures described the action as politically motivated and accused the Centre of misusing agencies. The events sparked further debate in Kerala, with references to prior cases involving other party members and recent political meetings. Later reports indicated that Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter were questioned and electronic devices were examined. Protests spread across the state, including planned marches, and some locations saw minor clashes with security personnel.
