Supporters of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan allegedly attacked an Enforcement Directorate team shortly after it conducted searches at his residence here on Wednesday, damaging vehicles and creating a tense situation near Bakery Junction.

The 12-member ED team had arrived to carry out raids linked to a money laundering case involving Vijayan’s daughter T. Veena’s IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, and the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). The operation, which also covered multiple other locations, triggered protests by CPI(M) workers, who reportedly hurled stones and smashed windows of the vehicles used by the central agency team.

Violent protests erupt near former CM’s house

Local reports and visuals from the spot showed agitated party workers gathering outside Vijayan’s residence as the raids progressed. Police forces were deployed both outside and inside the premises to manage the situation. Despite the unrest, the ED team completed its searches and returned safely to its zonal office, officials said. However, the vehicles sustained significant damage, and authorities indicated that legal action would follow against those involved in the attack.

Vijayan calls raid a political move

Reacting sharply to the development, Pinarayi Vijayan said the ED had been trying to conduct such a raid for a long time. He remarked that the action would “give satisfaction to certain people,” apparently referring to political rivals. The veteran CPI(M) leader alleged that central agencies were being selectively used against opposition parties by the BJP-led Centre.

Vijayan also referred to recent remarks by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and claimed that such actions were part of a larger pattern of “deliberate attacks” on opposition voices. He asserted that these moves would not weaken his party or the larger resistance against the central government. “None of this is going to end us,” Vijayan said, adding that strong support from party workers and local people during the incident reflected the organisational strength of the CPI(M).

Kejriwal accuses misuse of agencies

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also weighed in, condemning the raid as another instance of central agencies being misused to target opposition leaders. His reaction comes amid a string of similar actions against leaders of non-BJP parties in different states.

Background of the money laundering case

The ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2024. It stems from allegations that CMRL paid around ₹1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions during 2018-19, shown as expenses for software and IT services that were allegedly never provided. The total money laundering probe is reportedly linked to transactions worth Rs 182 crore. 

The issue gained fresh traction after the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition filed by CMRL on Tuesday seeking to cancel the ED investigation. The raids followed within 24 hours.

Political heat rises in Kerala

The development has intensified the already charged political atmosphere in Kerala. The Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by CPI(M), has long accused the Centre of misusing investigative agencies. The ruling front in the state has described the action as politically motivated, especially ahead of key political developments.

Security remained tight around the former Chief Minister’s residence even as the searches concluded. Party supporters maintained a strong presence, projecting it as a show of unity against what they called “vendetta politics.”

What lies ahead

With the ED likely to analyse the material gathered during the raids, further summons or actions cannot be ruled out. The incident also raises questions about the security of central agency teams during sensitive operations in politically sensitive areas.

Opposition parties in Kerala, including the Congress-led UDF, are watching the developments closely. While some have maintained a cautious stand, the episode is expected to dominate political discourse in the coming days.

The case continues to be under investigation by both the ED and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). Legal experts suggest that the outcome could have implications not just for the individuals involved but also for the broader narrative of Centre-state relations and agency autonomy. 

Delhi Court Grants Bail to I-PAC Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel in Money Laundering Case

ED raises no objection as court releases Vinesh Kumar Chandel on regular bail a day after West Bengal polls begin, citing cooperation in probe linked to alleged coal pilferage.

A Delhi court on Thursday granted regular bail to Vinesh Kumar Chandel, director and co-founder of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency informed the court it had no objection to his release.

Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal of the Patiala House Courts allowed the plea after taking on record the investigating officer’s statement. The court noted Chandel’s cooperation with the probe so far.

Bail Terms and Conditions

The court granted bail on a personal bond of ₹2 lakh with a surety of the same amount. Standard conditions were imposed: Chandel cannot leave the country without prior permission, must not tamper with evidence, and has to continue cooperating with the investigation. The detailed order is expected to be uploaded shortly.

Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, assisted by advocate Abhishek Mishra, represented Chandel in the matter.

This development came just a day after the commencement of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections, where I-PAC has played a significant role in supporting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) campaign machinery.

Earlier Rejection of Interim Bail

Only days earlier, the same court had turned down Chandel’s application for interim bail. The judge had stressed that relief under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is not granted routinely, especially given the stringent provisions of Section 45.

Chandel had cited his 74-year-old mother’s dementia and other family health issues, including hypertension and related conditions. However, the court found no evidence of sudden life-threatening emergency or acute deterioration that would justify immediate release. Medical documents were deemed insufficient, and the presence of other family members, including his wife and brother, was noted as adequate support.

The court had also highlighted the serious nature of the allegations involving economic offences.

Background of the Case

Chandel was arrested by the ED on April 13 in Delhi in connection with a money laundering probe stemming from an alleged coal pilferage case in West Bengal. He was later sent to 14 days of judicial custody on April 23 after the expiry of ED remand. The case traces back to an ECIR registered on March 28, based on an FIR by the Economic Offences Wing.

According to the ED, proceeds of crime from the coal scam—running into crores—were allegedly laundered through structured transactions, including splitting of accounted and unaccounted cash, bogus invoices, and hawala channels. I-PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd and its directors, including Chandel who holds a significant stake, came under scrutiny for their alleged role in concealing and layering such funds. Initial probes pointed to around ₹20 crore or more being routed through such networks.

Raids were conducted earlier at multiple locations linked to I-PAC officials across cities.

I-PAC’s Role in TMC’s Campaign Strategy

I-PAC gained prominence for its data-driven approach in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, where it helped shape TMC’s organisational strategy under Mamata Banerjee. The firm handled aspects ranging from candidate selection and booth-level micro-management to crafting speeches, social media content, posters, and slogans.

In the run-up to the 2026 polls, I-PAC reportedly analysed booth-level data from previous elections, categorising seats by strength and margins. Seats with narrow victories up to 15,000 votes received special attention. The team was also involved in monitoring Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, deploying shadow agents to assist voters facing deletions, and providing real-time ground inputs through a dedicated team that organised small-scale meetings.

The firm’s deep involvement had made it a key pillar of TMC’s election machinery, though the party has developed internal capacities over the years to handle data and outreach.

Political Timing and Reactions

The arrest, which came weeks before the polls, triggered strong reactions from TMC leaders, who questioned the timing and described the ED action as politically motivated. The development added another layer of tension in what is already a keenly contested election in the state.

With Chandel’s release on regular bail, the focus now shifts to the continuation of the investigation. The ED’s decision not to oppose bail has been noted, though the agency retains the right to pursue the case further.

Legal experts point out that while bail has been granted, the underlying PMLA case involves serious allegations that could have implications for the financial trail being examined. Chandel is expected to remain bound by the court’s conditions as the probe proceeds.

The case continues to draw attention not just for its legal merits but also for its intersection with the high-stakes political battle in West Bengal. Further developments, including the uploading of the detailed bail order, are awaited.