The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a series of raids on Wednesday targeting the residences of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several individuals connected to an ongoing money-laundering investigation. This escalation followed the Kerala High Court's refusal to dismiss the case, which centers on alleged illicit payments made by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) to Exalogic Solutions, a firm owned by Vijayan’s daughter, T. Veena. In addition to searching the home of Vijayan’s son-in-law, MLA P.A. Mohammed Riyas, investigators also subjected Veena to questioning as part of their probe.

The political climate in the state has grown increasingly volatile as the Serious Fraud Investigation Office also advances its separate inquiry into the matter, naming Veena as an accused. Tensions boiled over on Wednesday as CPM supporters confronted ED officials outside the former Chief Minister’s home, leading to clashes. While the CPM has alleged a secret alliance between the Congress and the BJP to target their leadership, Congress figures, including Shashi Tharoor, have firmly rejected these claims, emphasizing that the central government operates independently of state-level opposition politics. As the legal battle intensifies, the state government is also scrutinizing potential obstruction within the police force, signaling a widening scandal with significant political implications.