ED raids Vijayan's residences in CMRL-Exalogic case; vehicles vandalised, CPI-M vows no surrender
Synopsis
The ED's seven-hour search of former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's homes in the CMRL-Exalogic case ended in street violence — party workers smashed agency vehicles even as CPI-M leaders looked on. Vijayan emerged defiant, and the Kerala High Court had cleared the probe just 24 hours earlier. The confrontation sets up one of Kerala's most politically charged law-enforcement standoffs in years.
Key Takeaways
ED conducted nearly seven-hour searches on 27 May at residences of former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur , and of P.
Mohammed Riyas in Kozhikode .
The raids followed the Kerala High Court lifting a stay on the ED probe into the CMRL-Exalogic case — linked to Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan — just one day earlier.
CPI-M workers damaged the windshield of an ED vehicle in Thiruvananthapuram as officials departed around 2.35 pm ; police were reportedly passive during the attack.
Vijayan accused the BJP -led Centre of targeting political opponents through central agencies, asserting his party would not be 'cowed down.' Riyas's counsel alleged human rights violations, claiming his aged parents were confined during the search; the ED has not publicly responded.
CPI-M state Secretary M.
Govindan was present at the Thiruvananthapuram site when the vehicle was attacked.
Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday, 27 May broke his silence after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials concluded nearly seven-hour-long searches at residences linked to him and his family in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic case — the IT firm associated with his daughter Veena Vijayan. Vijayan accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre of weaponising central agencies against political opponents, while Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) workers attacked agency vehicles and clashed with security personnel at multiple locations.
What the Raids Covered
The ED conducted simultaneous searches at three locations: Vijayan's rented residence in Thiruvananthapuram, his home in Kannur, and the Kozhikode residence of Beypore MLA and former minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas, husband of Veena Vijayan. The searches followed the Kerala High Court lifting a stay on the ED probe just a day earlier, clearing the agency to proceed with its investigation into the CMRL-Exalogic matter.
Vijayan Speaks Out
Speaking to reporters outside his Thiruvananthapuram residence after the raid concluded, Vijayan drew a pointed comparison to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. 'Some people like Rahul Gandhi would be happy, as the narrative by him was why Pinarayi Vijayan is not being arrested. The BJP government has always targeted political adversaries. The Congress also took the stand that if not their leaders, then there is no issue. But we are not going to be cowed down. Our party has always stood united in such situations, and today too our comrades have proved it,' he told reporters. He added: 'At this moment I will say only this much, though I have a lot more to say.'
Violence and High Drama at Multiple Sites
In Kannur, large crowds of CPI-M workers gathered outside Vijayan's residence from early morning, raising slogans against the ED and the Centre. Before leaving, ED officials reportedly briefed Kannur district CPI-M Secretary K. K. Ragesh and Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem Sivadasan on the searches. Senior leaders P. Jayarajan and M. V. Jayarajan subsequently entered the premises. M. V. Jayarajan then announced to cheering cadres that the searches had ended and nothing was found, triggering loud celebrations.
In Thiruvananthapuram, tensions escalated when agitated workers allegedly threw empty bottles towards central force personnel guarding the premises during the raid. As ED officials exited around 2.35 pm, protesters damaged the windshield of one of the vehicles carrying officials, including women officers. CPI-M state Secretary M. V. Govindan and other leaders were present at the scene. Police, according to reports, remained largely passive during the attack.
In Kozhikode, police struggled to safely escort ED officials from Riyas's residence amid intense protests. Riyas's legal counsel accused the agency of human rights violations, alleging that his aged parents were effectively confined during the operation.
Riyas Defends Wife's Business Dealings
Riyas, who arrived home after officials had departed, firmly defended Veena Vijayan's conduct. 'Veena has always cooperated with the probe. What she did was entirely legal. We will not surrender before such intimidation,' he said. His counsel's allegations of rights violations have not been independently verified, and the ED has not publicly responded to those claims.
Background and What Comes Next
The CMRL-Exalogic case centres on alleged financial irregularities involving the IT firm linked to Veena Vijayan. The Kerala High Court's decision to lift the stay on the probe represents a significant procedural development, enabling the ED to advance its investigation. This is among the most politically charged central agency actions in Kerala in recent years, coming as the state heads toward an electoral cycle. The CPI-M's response — both the street-level mobilisation and Vijayan's combative statement — signals the party intends to frame the raids as political persecution rather than a legitimate law-enforcement action. How the ED responds to the violence against its personnel and vehicles is likely to shape the next phase of this standoff.
Point of View
With police standing by. That optic hands the BJP a ready-made narrative about law-and-order in a CPI-M-governed state, even as the CPI-M frames the entire episode as Centre-sponsored persecution. Vijayan's invocation of Rahul Gandhi is a calculated move to drive a wedge between the Congress and a potential anti-BJP alliance. The deeper question — whether the CMRL-Exalogic probe has genuine evidentiary legs — risks being buried under the political theatre on both sides.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CMRL-Exalogic case that the ED is investigating?
The CMRL-Exalogic case involves alleged financial irregularities linked to an IT firm associated with Veena Vijayan, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The ED has been probing the matter, and the Kerala High Court lifted a stay on the investigation on 26 May, enabling the agency to conduct searches the following day.
Why did the ED raid Pinarayi Vijayan's residences on 27 May 2025?
The ED raided Vijayan's residences in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, as well as the Kozhikode home of his son-in-law P. A. Mohammed Riyas, as part of its probe into the CMRL-Exalogic case. The searches came a day after the Kerala High Court removed the legal stay that had been blocking the investigation.
What happened during and after the ED raids in Kerala?
CPI-M workers gathered in large numbers at multiple raid sites, raising slogans against the ED and the Centre. In Thiruvananthapuram, protesters damaged the windshield of an ED vehicle as officials were leaving around 2.35 pm; police were reportedly passive. In Kozhikode, police struggled to escort officials safely amid protests.
What did Pinarayi Vijayan say after the raids ended?
Vijayan told reporters outside his Thiruvananthapuram residence that the BJP government had always targeted political adversaries using central agencies, and that his party would not be cowed down. He also said he had more to say but would speak further at a later time.
Who is P. A. Mohammed Riyas and why was his residence searched?
P. A. Mohammed Riyas is the Beypore MLA, a former Kerala minister, and the husband of Veena Vijayan. His Kozhikode residence was searched as part of the same CMRL-Exalogic probe. Riyas defended his wife's business dealings, stating they were entirely legal, and said he would not surrender to what he called intimidation.
