Chaos in Kerala: Left Supporters Attack ED Vehicle, Smash Windows During Raid on Ex-CM Vijayan
(Judicial Quest News Network)
Kochi — 27 May 2026-The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Kochi Zone, conducted coordinated searches today at 10 locations linked to public‑listed M/s Cochin Minerals & Rutile Ltd. (CMRL), its directors Shri S. N. Sasidharan Kartha and Shri Saran S. Kartha, and M/s Exalogic Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (owned by Smt. Veena, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister P. Vijayan). Premises in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru were covered.
Tension flared in Kerala as a vehicle carrying Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials came under a violent attack by Left-wing supporters. The incident occurred amidst a crackdown on former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, resulting in the windows of the officials’ car being smashed.
ED said the action follows predicate inquiries by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and earlier Income Tax Department findings that identified allegedly fabricated expenses of about ₹130 crore.
SFIO’s probe, and a subsequent prosecution complaint filed on 3 April 2025, alleges fictitious cash expenses of approximately ₹182 crore over 15 years, large undisclosed remuneration to directors (₹30.63 crore cumulatively for FY 2015‑16 to FY 2022‑23), and payments of ₹91 crore to transport firms owned by the Sasidharan Kartha family.
Investigators contend one flagged payment of ₹2.78 crore was routed to Exalogic as purported IT consultancy fees, while loans of ₹50 lakh were extended to Exalogic by a company linked to Shri Sasidharan Kartha despite repayment defaults.
ED says its probe under the Prevention of Money‑Laundering Act (PMLA) was briefly stayed by the Kerala High Court in April 2024, but the High Court on 26 May 2026 dismissed CMRL’s writ petition, holding PMLA investigations may proceed and noting SFIO’s prosecution complaint supplies the requisite predicate offences.
During searches, ED seized incriminating records, digital evidence and investment instruments, and has provisionally frozen about ₹18.36 crore across roughly 242 bank accounts analysis of evidence is ongoing.
ED further alleged that after concluding a search at the residence of Veena and P. Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram, its team was attacked by a group that vandalised three vehicles and injured a driver; an FIR has been lodged with local police.
ED said investigations will continue to identify proceeds of crime and other beneficiaries of alleged bribery and fraudulent payments.
