Thiruvananthapuram: Violence erupted outside the rented residence of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials completed searches linked to the alleged CMRL-Exalogic financial transactions case, with protesters attacking vehicles carrying agency personnel and damaging at least three cars.
Police said the ED has filed a formal complaint in connection with the attack and around 10 suspects have been identified from CCTV visuals and video footage. Arrests are likely soon, officials said.
The incident occurred after ED officials concluded hours-long searches at Vijayan’s rented house at Bakery Junction and attempted to leave the premises. Protesters, suspected to be CPM workers, allegedly surrounded the vehicles carrying the officials and pelted them with stones, bricks and rotten eggs.
At least three vehicles, including the one carrying six ED officials, among them a woman officer, were damaged in the attack. Windshields, windows and rear-view mirrors were shattered during the violence. One of the drivers reportedly sustained injuries.
Police and central security personnel struggled to control the crowd as protesters shouted slogans against the ED and the BJP-led Centre. Protesters were also seen kicking the vehicles and hitting them with sticks and fists.
The ED officials later reached the Thampanoor police station and lodged a complaint regarding the attack.
Earlier in the day, CPM workers and activists from allied organisations had gathered outside Vijayan’s residence to protest against the ED searches. During the raid, some protesters allegedly hurled helmets, plastic bottles and stones at security personnel stationed outside the premises.
The searches were conducted a day after the Kerala High Court dismissed a plea filed by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd and its officials seeking to quash the ED probe into alleged financial irregularities involving Vijayan’s daughter Veena Vijayan and her now-defunct firm, Exalogic Solutions.
The ED is investigating allegations that CMRL paid ₹1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions between 2017 and 2020 without receiving services in return. The agency is probing the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Justice T R Ravi of the Kerala High Court ruled on May 26 that the ED could continue its investigation even before the filing of a formal FIR or final report by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).
The SFIO probe was initiated following Income Tax raids conducted in 2019 and a complaint filed by BJP leader Shone George. According to the ED, the SFIO later filed a complaint in April 2025 alleging offences under the Companies Act, including fraud provisions that qualify as scheduled offences under the PMLA.
