CMRL pay-off case: Keralam begins examining ED report seeking case against Pinarayi Vijayan, kin

Communication by Enforcement Directorate to the Kerala Police seeks registration of a separate corruption case against Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena, and former Minister and Ms. Veena’s husband P.A. Mohamed Riyas in the CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case. | Photo Credit: ANI The Keralam government has commenced examination of a detailed communication sent by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Kerala Police, seeking registration of a separate corruption case against Leader of the Opposition and Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena, and former Minister and Ms. Veena’s husband P.A. Mohamed Riyas in the CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case. The ED sent a 25-page report to State Police Chief (SPC) Ravada A. Chandrasekhar under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), enclosing findings and supporting evidence from its investigation into the alleged money laundering. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala confirmed to media persons that the letter had been received and that its contents would be examined before the government decided on the legally required course of action. According to sources, the SPC’s scrutiny of the ED report will determine whether the material warrants registration of a First Information Report (FIR), referral to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, or any other legally permissible action. The SPC may also seek legal opinion on the matter. CPI(M) State secretariat meetingMeanwhile, the CPI(M), still smarting from its defeat in the Assembly elections and facing tough questions about Mr. Vijayan’s unquestioned role as the face of the Opposition alliance, is convening a meeting of the party State secretariat at the A.K.G. Centre in Thiruvananthapuram after concluding a two-day State committee meeting, ahead of the extended State committee meeting in Kozhikode from September 13, 2026 to chart the party’s further course of action. The meeting, it is understood, is discussing the approach to be taken towards the ED’s latest move. RSP calls for Pinarayi’s responseRevolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leader N.K. Premachandran, MP, told the media that it was time Mr. Vijayan responded to the grave allegations in the ED report. He slammed the CPI(M) for bending over backwards to portray the Exalogic-CMRL pay-off as a deal between two companies. “This is just the tip of the iceberg and proves Mr. Vijayan has a lot to hide, which is why he has not attempted to disprove the ED’s findings. So far, he has only said his hands are clean, which cuts no ice,” Mr. Premachandran said. Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnadan, who has consistently pursued the pay-off case, said he felt vindicated, as he was previously laughed at for demanding a corruption case against Mr. Vijayan. “Mr. Vijayan, who was Chief Minister then, said on the floor of the Assembly that I was lying. But now we know who has been lying all along,” he said. Published - September 08, 2026 04:30 pm IST