ED seeks FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan, daughter, son-in-law in CMRL bribery case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has formally requested the Kerala Director General of Police to register an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena, and son-in-law P.A. Mohamed Riyas, an MLA, in connection with the alleged bribery case linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL).

The request was made through a communication sent under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which allows the ED to share findings from its criminal investigation with law enforcement agencies for the registration of a fresh FIR. The agency has cited evidence gathered during its probe and searches conducted under the PMLA.

The ED alleges that CMRL made fraudulent payments of ₹2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions, a now-defunct company owned by T. Veena, under the guise of IT consultancy services. Searches were conducted in June 2026 at the residence where Veena was staying with Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram, and she was subsequently questioned.

In August, the ED stated that handwritten notes seized during the searches contained details of certain fund transfers to Dubai. Vijayan, who is now the Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, has dismissed the case as "political vendetta." His son-in-law, CPI(M) leader Mohamed Riyas, has said he and the party will challenge the ED's actions legally and politically. CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan also alleged that the agency is targeting Riyas.