Investigation Into Veena Vijayan Firm, Financial Dealings Expands Amid Kerala Protests

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the alleged financial dealings between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a now-defunct IT firm owned by Veena T, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The development follows large-scale raids conducted by the central agency across multiple locations in Kerala and Bengaluru earlier this week.

Officials are currently examining documents and digital records seized during the searches before deciding on the next course of action. Sources indicated that notices are likely to be issued soon to Veena and several others for questioning. The probe is also expected to widen further to include individuals and entities suspected of receiving money from CMRL through alleged fake accounting transactions.

The searches were carried out at 10 locations across Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru. Investigators are examining allegations that CMRL made illegal payments amounting to Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions between 2018 and 2019 despite the firm allegedly not providing any services to the company. Earlier, an Income Tax Department search conducted in January 2019 reportedly uncovered irregularities worth Rs 132.82 crore linked to inflated expenditure claims by CMRL.

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During Wednesday’s raids, the ED froze nearly Rs 18 crore spread across 242 bank accounts as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials confirmed that one of the frozen accounts was linked to Veena and reportedly contained around Rs 1.5 lakh. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether further financial action or summonses will follow in the coming days.

The case has triggered a sharp political confrontation in Kerala, with the CPI(M) and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) alleging that the ED action is politically motivated. After initial protests by CPI(M) workers, the LDF announced statewide demonstrations at district headquarters across Kerala. Left leaders accused central agencies of selectively targeting opposition leaders and described the action against Veena as part of a broader political vendetta.

Meanwhile, police have registered cases against around 300 people following violence outside the ED office in Thiruvananthapuram during the protests. According to the FIR filed on the basis of a complaint by an ED Assistant Director, protesters allegedly formed an unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapons and attacked ED officials, security personnel, police officers and CRPF staff. Five people have so far been arrested in connection with the incident, while authorities continue to investigate the violence and identify other accused individuals.

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