Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary M.V. Govindan on Friday, 25 September 2026, accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan of conspiring with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target the CPI(M) in the CMRL-Exalogic case. The remarks came even as the state police Special Investigation Team (SIT) moved to seek additional documents and evidence from the Central agency in connection with the same matter.

What Govindan Said

Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, Govindan launched a sharp political counteroffensive against the ongoing probe. 'ED and VD are doing their best with the support of Modi to trap the CPI(M) over baseless cases. We are fully confident that there is not an iota of evidence against Pinarayi Vijayan. Instead, baseless allegations are being spread about the CMRL-Exalogic case,' he said.

Govindan added: 'We will fight this legally and politically, and nothing can be done to us.' The party has made clear it intends to contest the allegations on both fronts simultaneously.

SIT Seeks More Material from ED

The Special Investigation Team, constituted by the State Police Chief under the supervision of the Crime Branch, has decided to obtain further information and documents from the ED before determining the next course of action. The investigating Superintendent has been specifically tasked with coordinating with the Central agency and collecting documents and other evidence.

Once the material is gathered, it will be examined in detail before a preliminary report is submitted to the State Police Chief. Notably, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in the matter so far. A decision to register a formal case will be taken only after examining the preliminary evidence and obtaining a legal opinion.

Scope of the Preliminary Inquiry

The inquiry's scope is considerable. The question of recording statements from Pinarayi Vijayan, former Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, his wife T. Veena, and other prominent individuals will depend on the findings of this preliminary inquiry. The ED's communication has referred to several individuals whose alleged financial links are now being examined by the police.

The SIT is additionally probing the roles of at least five Kozhikode-based individuals identified in the Central agency's communication as having alleged links with Riyas. Senior officials and employees of CMRL are also under scrutiny for alleged financial transactions involving the company, including suspected transfers of funds abroad.

Digital and Financial Evidence Under Scrutiny

Police are examining bank accounts, financial records, and digital evidence as part of the preliminary exercise. A dedicated cyber investigation team has been assigned to assist the SIT in examining digital and technical evidence. The ED's allegations relate to illegal payments and suspected unauthorised financial transactions, including alleged foreign fund transfers.

This comes amid a wider political battle in Kerala, where the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government faces mounting pressure over the case. Whether the SIT's preliminary inquiry yields sufficient prima facie evidence to register an FIR will be the immediate inflection point — and a crucial test of how the case develops legally in the weeks ahead.