Thiruvananthapuram, September 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asked the Kerala Police to register an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act against former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena and her husband, former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, in connection with the CMRL monthly payment case.
The ED’s communication to state police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar became public on Tuesday as the CPI-M’s Kerala leadership was preparing for a three-day extended state committee meeting in Kozhikode from Saturday. Around 300 party leaders are expected to attend the meeting, which will examine the party’s severe electoral setback.
The central agency has forwarded details of evidence gathered during its probe into transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Veena’s IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, and sought action under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the three.
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the DGP had informed him that the ED letter had been received.
“I spoke to the state police chief. He told me 10 minutes ago that he had received the letter from the ED. Now he will have to look into it and decide the course of action. We will wait for him to act,” Chennithala said.
The DGP is expected to examine the communication before deciding on further action. The matter could also be forwarded to the state government, which may seek legal advice before determining the next course of action.
The ED’s latest move marks a fresh escalation in the controversy surrounding alleged financial transactions between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions. The agency has alleged that the payments were not made against genuine services and has relied on statements, documents and digital evidence collected during its investigation.
The request for an FIR puts the UDF government in a politically sensitive position. Any decision to register a case against Vijayan could significantly intensify the controversy surrounding the former Chief Minister and his family, while inaction could trigger allegations from the BJP that the government is protecting its political predecessor.
The development comes at a particularly difficult time for the CPI-M, which is preparing to review the reasons behind its crushing electoral defeat. The extended state committee meeting is expected to discuss organisational shortcomings, the party’s political strategy and the role of its leadership.
BJP state Vice President Shone George, who is the primary petitioner in the case, said the development raised questions over Vijayan’s continuation as Leader of the Opposition.
“The need of the hour is for Vijayan to realise that he has no moral ground to remain as Leader of the Opposition and quit. This post has been occupied by giants in the CPI-M. He has no other option but to resign,” George said.
With the allegations now involving Vijayan, Veena and Riyas, any decision by the state police or government on the ED’s request is likely to carry wider political implications.
For the CPI-M, the controversy threatens to overshadow its internal review of the electoral setback and place its most prominent leader at the centre of a fresh political and legal battle.
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