Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Keralam Orders Police Inquiry Into ED Report Against Vijayan
The Enforcement Directorate sent Kerala police a report about suspected illegal payments.
The report names former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas.
The ED says a company called CMRL paid Rs 2.78 crore to Veena’s former company for supposed IT services.
The state government has asked the police chief to examine the report.
The Crime Branch is expected to conduct the first inquiry.
A formal police case may not be registered at the beginning.
The government says legal advice and Supreme Court rulings allow such a preliminary inquiry.
CPI(M) leaders say the case is being used to target their party.
The BJP says the investigation should instead be given to the Vigilance Department or the CBI.
The Congress-led UDF government ordered the Director General of Police to inquire into an Enforcement Directorate report involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family.
The ED had sought an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas.
The inquiry is expected to be conducted by the Crime Branch without initially registering an FIR.
The ED alleges that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena’s now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions.
The CPI(M) accused the UDF government of helping the BJP-led Centre target political opponents, while the BJP demanded a Vigilance or CBI investigation.
- Who
- The Keralam government, the Enforcement Directorate, former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena T, P A Mohamed Riyas and CMRL are central to the matter.
- What
- The government ordered a police inquiry into the ED’s report seeking action in the alleged CMRL bribery and money-laundering case.
- When
- The order was announced on Tuesday after the Advocate General’s opinion was received two days earlier.
- Where
- The inquiry will be conducted by Keralam’s state police, with the Crime Branch expected to handle it.
- Why
- The government said law-enforcement agencies must act on information received, while a preliminary inquiry may precede an FIR when a cognisable offence is not clearly established.
Government and ED Positions
CPI(M) and BJP Criticism
How the case should proceed
Government and ED Positions
The government ordered a preliminary police inquiry through the DGP, with the Crime Branch expected to examine the ED report before an FIR is registered. The ED had sought an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
CPI(M) and BJP Criticism
The CPI(M) questioned the state action and alleged that central agencies were being used for political purposes. BJP leader V Muraleedharan said the case should be assigned to the Vigilance Department or the CBI.
Nature of the allegations
Government and ED Positions
The ED alleges that CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions under the guise of IT consultancy services, and says its investigation produced supporting evidence and statements.
CPI(M) and BJP Criticism
Riyas denied wrongdoing, while CPI(M) leaders said the inquiry was part of an effort to target or protect political interests rather than establish a genuine case.
Political responsibility
Government and ED Positions
The UDF government said it acted after obtaining the Advocate General’s legal opinion and consulting Chief Minister V D Satheesan.
CPI(M) and BJP Criticism
CPI(M) leaders M A Baby and M V Govindan accused the UDF of aligning with the BJP-led Centre and described it as targeting the CPI(M).
- Inquiry authority
- Director General of Police, Keralam
- Likely investigating unit
- Crime Branch
- Initial FIR status
- No FIR is expected to be registered at the initial inquiry stage.
- Alleged payment
- Rs 2.78 crore
- Company named
- Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited
- Recipient company
- Exalogic Solutions, Veena T’s now-defunct IT company
- Legal basis cited
- Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Supreme Court’s Lalita Kumari judgment
