CPI(M) workers allegedly damage ED vehicles during protest outside Pinarayi Vijayan’s Residence

CPI(M) cadres allegedly damaged vehicles belonging to Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during protests outside the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday amid an ongoing money laundering investigation.

The protest erupted after ED officials arrived at Vijayan’s residence as part of searches linked to the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) financial transactions case. Visuals from the area showed party workers surrounding and allegedly attacking agency vehicles during the confrontation.

Officials said the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at multiple locations across Kerala, including premises linked to Vijayan and his family members, based on inputs connected to the controversial CMRL case.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the state government had no prior information about the ED action and claimed the agency had not sought support from the state administration.

“The Kerala government or the Home Ministry has no information about this raid. They did not seek our support either,” he said.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) accused the BJP-led Centre of using central agencies for political vendetta against opposition leaders. The party described the raids as an attempt to intimidate political rivals through selective investigations.

After the searches concluded, Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition figures and asserted that his party would collectively face the challenge.

“We are not going to be cowed down,” Vijayan said while reacting to the ED action.

The ED raids came a day after the Kerala High Court reportedly refused to quash the agency’s investigation into the CMRL case.