ED attack case: 27th accused Adarsh arrested at Chennai airport
Synopsis
The arrest of Adarsh at Chennai airport closes in on the full accused list in the politically charged ED attack case — but one accused, Palayam Santhosh, reportedly remains abroad. With 25 others already out on bail, the case continues to cast a shadow over Kerala Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter Veena Vijayan's business dealings.
Key Takeaways
Adarsh , the 27th accused in the ED attack case, was arrested at Chennai airport on Monday after allegedly fleeing the country post-incident.
A Museum police team has left for Chennai to bring Adarsh back to Kerala .
Only one of the 27 named accused — Palayam Santhosh — remains at large, reportedly abroad.
The case relates to an alleged assault on ED officials at the residence of Pinarayi Vijayan during questioning of his daughter Veena Vijayan over the CMRL-Exalogic probe.
25 accused arrested in May were subsequently granted bail.
The 27th accused in the case involving an alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at the residence of Kerala Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan was arrested at Chennai airport on Monday morning, police confirmed. The accused, identified as Adarsh, had allegedly fled the country following the incident and was apprehended upon landing in Chennai.
Key Developments
A lookout notice had previously been issued against Adarsh, enabling authorities to intercept him upon his return. A team from the Museum police station in Thiruvananthapuram has since departed for Chennai to take custody of the accused and transport him back to Kerala.
The arrest comes days after 25 of the accused held during the last week of May were granted bail. The original First Information Report (FIR) had named 27 accused in total, of whom two had remained out of reach of investigators until now.
One Accused Still at Large
With Adarsh's arrest, only one accused named in the original FIR remains at large — identified as Palayam Santhosh. According to reports, Santhosh is also believed to be abroad, which could complicate efforts to secure his arrest and extradition. Police have reportedly intensified efforts to trace him.
Background: The CMRL-Exalogic Case
The case stems from an alleged assault on ED officials as they were departing Pinarayi Vijayan's residence in Thiruvananthapuram, where they had gone to question his daughter Veena Vijayan in connection with the agency's investigation into alleged financial transactions involving her IT firm Exalogic and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL).
The incident triggered a significant political controversy, drawing criticism of Vijayan over the alleged assault on officials of a central investigative agency. Several political leaders and activists have since been served notices to appear for questioning in the matter.
Political Fallout and What Happens Next
The arrests of the 25 accused in May had prompted protests from the Opposition and its allies, while police maintained the action was evidence-based. All 25 were subsequently granted bail.
Investigators are now focused on locating Palayam Santhosh, the sole remaining accused. His reported presence abroad is expected to make the process significantly more challenging, potentially requiring coordination with international agencies. How quickly authorities can close this final gap will be closely watched.
Point of View
But the case's political weight remains unresolved. With 25 accused already out on bail and the sole remaining fugitive reportedly abroad, the legal process risks losing momentum precisely as the political controversy it sparked shows no signs of fading. The CMRL-Exalogic probe goes to the heart of questions about financial propriety around a sitting Opposition leader's family — a dimension that bail orders and airport arrests alone cannot settle. Whether investigators can secure Palayam Santhosh's return, and whether the trial proceeds at pace, will determine if accountability follows the arrests.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Adarsh and why was he arrested at Chennai airport?
Adarsh is the 27th accused in the case involving an alleged attack on ED officials at Kerala Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan's residence. He was arrested at Chennai airport on Monday morning after allegedly fleeing the country following the incident, having been intercepted under a lookout notice.
What is the CMRL-Exalogic case about?
The CMRL-Exalogic case involves an ED investigation into alleged financial transactions between Veena Vijayan's IT firm Exalogic and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL). ED officials visiting Pinarayi Vijayan's residence to question Veena Vijayan were allegedly attacked as they were leaving, leading to the criminal case.
Who is the one accused still at large?
The sole remaining accused named in the original FIR is Palayam Santhosh, who is reportedly abroad. Police have intensified efforts to trace him, though his presence outside India is expected to complicate his arrest and return to Kerala.
What happened to the 25 accused arrested in May?
Twenty-five accused were arrested during the last week of May and subsequently granted bail. Their arrests had triggered protests from the Opposition and its allies, though police maintained the action was based on evidence collected in the case.
What is the political significance of this case?
The alleged attack on central agency officials at the residence of a senior Opposition leader triggered major political controversy in Kerala. Pinarayi Vijayan faced criticism over the incident, and several political leaders and activists have been served notices to appear for questioning in connection with the case.
