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.