ED seeks FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan, daughter Veena in money launder case
The Enforcement Directorate asked Kerala police to register an FIR against former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena, and others under the Prevention of Corruption Act in a money laundering case linked to Veena’s IT firm. A final decision rests with the state police after the ED sub
Key takeaways
- The ED forwarded a report to Kerala police requesting an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act in a money laundering case involving Veena’s IT firm and associates.
- A separate FIR request concerns the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited case as part of the ED’s investigation.
- Final action rests with the Kerala police under the Home Department leadership of Ramesh Chennithala, with political turnover noted in Kerala's government.
- The ED alleges payments from CMRL to Exalogic Solutions without services and cites hawala-linked transfers and other financial traces.
- May searches covered Vijayan’s premises and eight CPI(M)-linked locations in Kozhikode; Vijayan has denied allegations.
What Happened
The Enforcement Directorate has urged the Kerala police to register an FIR against former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena, and Veena’s husband Mohammed Riyas, along with others, under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The FIR is sought in connection with a money laundering investigation involving Veena’s IT company, Exalogic Solutions, and payments allegedly connected to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).
The ED conveyed a detailed report to the state Director General of Police regarding the CMRL case and requested a separate FIR be registered. The decision on registering the FIR will be taken by the Kerala police, which operates under the Home Department led by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala. The Congress-led government took office in April after defeating Vijayan’s CPI(M) in the state assembly elections.
The ED alleges that CMRL made payments to Exalogic Solutions without providing services. It has stated that Exalogic Solutions, owned by Veena, received Rs 2.78 crore from CMRL in what it describes as IT consultancy payments. The ED previously claimed that Veena’s money transfers involved hawala routes and that the money moved through these channels. It also alleges that Veena handled funds beyond her known sources of income, with handwritten records showing amounts beyond the payments from CMRL and a transfer to Dubai of 3.49 lakh UAE Dirhams (about Rs 85 lakh), along with an Indian rupee total around Rs 20.05 crore.
The ED conducted searches in May at Vijayan’s premises and eight other locations tied to local CPI(M) leaders in Kozhikode, Vijayan’s home district. The agency has cited statements and digital evidence related to the transfer of funds via hawala channels as part of its case. Vijayan has publicly asserted that his hands are clean and that his family has not engaged in hawala dealings, and he noted Veena’s cooperation with the probe.
Why It Matters
The ED’s request to file an FIR targets a high-profile political family and could influence internal political dynamics in Kerala, where the current government is led by a different party from Vijayan’s CPI(M). The outcome hinges on the state police’s assessment of the ED’s report and its own investigation into the allegations of improper payments and money movements related to CMRL and Veena’s firm.
Background
Vijayan, a former chief minister, leads the CPI(M) in Kerala’s Legislative Assembly. Mohammed Riyas is identified as a CPI(M) legislator and a former minister. The ED’s inquiry centers on transfers between CMRL and Veena’s IT company, with the broader context including prior ED searches and hawala-related allegations identified by the ED in connection with the same case. The state government in power in September 2026 is led by the Congress in Kerala, which took office earlier in the year after the elections that defeated Vijayan’s CPI(M).
Key Facts
- ED asks Kerala police to register an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena, Mohammed Riyas, and others in a money laundering case tied to Veena’s IT firm, Exalogic Solutions.
- ED says there was a separate report to the state DGP on the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case and seeks a separate FIR.
- Vijayan is described as Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly; Riyas is a CPI(M) legislator and a former minister.
- Final call on FIR is to be taken by the Kerala police under the Home Department headed by Ramesh Chennithala.
- ED alleges CMRL paid Exalogic Solutions Rs 2.78 crore without providing services; Veena is stated as owner of Exalogic Solutions.
- ED previously claimed that Veena’s finances included money transfers beyond disclosed income, with a sum noted as 3.49 lakh UAE Dirhams (about Rs 85 lakh) transferred to Dubai; total Indian rupees noted around Rs 20.05 crore.
- May searches by ED covered Vijayan’s premises and eight premises linked to local CPI(M) leaders in Kozhikode.
- ED cites hawala-related evidence and digital records as part of the investigation; Vijayan has denied involvement and asserted his family’s innocence.
What Happens Next
The Kerala police will decide whether to register the FIR and pursue further investigation based on the ED’s report. There is no final outcome available in the material provided, and no additional announced steps are recorded in the source material beyond the stated process and statements by involved parties.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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