The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has stepped up its defence of former Kerala Chief Minister and party leader Pinarayi Vijayan and P A Mohammed Riyas after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought registration of an FIR against them in connection with the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan on Wednesday accused the central agency of attempting to create “fabricated” narratives against the two leaders and said the party would not be intimidated by the investigation.

Govindan used the phrase “paper tiger” while attacking the ED's actions, saying the CPI(M) had faced much tougher political challenges in its history and would not bow to threats. 

CPI(M) Accuses ED of Political Targeting

Govindan alleged that the ED was attempting to manufacture false stories against Vijayan and Riyas. He also questioned the position of the Congress-led Kerala government and accused the Congress of following a double standard in its approach to the investigation.

The CPI(M) leader suggested that the latest developments could have a wider political objective. However, these are political allegations by the party and have not been independently established.

The ED, meanwhile, has maintained that its action is based on evidence gathered during its investigation into the CMRL-linked financial transactions.

ED Seeks FIR Against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas

The latest development came after the ED approached the Kerala Director General of Police seeking registration of an FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena and son-in-law Mohammed Riyas under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The request is linked to alleged financial transactions between CMRL and Veena's IT company, Exalogic Solutions.

According to the ED's allegations, Exalogic received around ₹2.78 crore from CMRL in payments described as IT consultancy fees, despite the agency alleging that the services were not actually provided. The ED has also alleged a wider money trail involving Vijayan and Riyas. These allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny. 

Pinarayi Vijayan Has Denied Allegations

Vijayan has rejected allegations against himself and his family.

He has maintained that his “hands are clean” and that neither he nor his family members were involved in hawala transactions. He has also argued that his daughter faced unusual scrutiny because she is related to him. 

Riyas has separately said he is not afraid of any investigation, while the CPI(M) has continued to question the ED's motives and the manner in which the probe is being conducted.

CMRL Case Under Investigation

The case has its origins in investigations into alleged financial irregularities at CMRL. The Income Tax Department had earlier identified alleged irregular expenses, while subsequent proceedings by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and the ED expanded scrutiny of the company's financial transactions.

The ED has alleged that some payments made by CMRL were part of a broader financial arrangement involving several individuals and entities.

The agency has also said that searches conducted at locations linked to the case yielded documents and digital evidence that are still being analysed. 

ED Action Intensifies Political Battle

The ED's latest request has intensified an already sharp political confrontation in Kerala.

Vijayan, who is now in the opposition, remains a prominent CPI(M) leader, while Riyas is also an important figure within the party. The investigation has therefore acquired significance beyond the legal proceedings, with the CPI(M) accusing central agencies of political targeting and the opposition demanding greater scrutiny of the allegations.

At the same time, the Congress-led state government has indicated that it will examine the ED's communication before deciding on further action. Kerala's Home Department is currently headed by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala. 

Investigation, Not Conviction

The latest ED action does not amount to a judicial finding of guilt against Vijayan, Riyas or Veena.

The allegations concerning alleged corruption, financial transfers and the CMRL transactions will have to be tested through the legal process. The Kerala Police will also have to consider the ED's request for an FIR before deciding on the next step.

For the CPI(M), however, the political response is already clear: Govindan has signalled that the party intends to confront the allegations rather than allow the investigation to become a political pressure point.

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has rejected the CPI(M)’s allegation that the Congress-led state government is colluding with the Centre over the Enforcement Directorate’s action against former Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan in the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case.

Satheesan said the government would allow the legal process to take its course, as political tensions intensified after the ED sought registration of an FIR against Vijayan, his daughter T Veena and son-in-law P.A. Mohammed Riyas under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Satheesan Rejects CPM’s Allegation

The Chief Minister’s response comes a day after CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan accused the ED of politically targeting Vijayan and Riyas. The CPI(M) has described the central agency’s action as politically motivated and questioned the role of the Congress-led government in the matter.

Satheesan rejected the suggestion of any understanding between the Congress-led Kerala government and the Centre, maintaining that the government would follow the law in dealing with the ED communication.

The ED has formally approached the Kerala Director General of Police seeking registration of a separate FIR in connection with its findings in the CMRL-linked case.

ED Seeks FIR Against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas

The ED has asked the Kerala Police to register a case against Pinarayi Vijayan, T Veena, Mohammed Riyas and others under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The agency’s request relates to alleged payments made by CMRL to Veena’s IT company, Exalogic Solutions. According to the ED, Exalogic received around ₹2.78 crore from CMRL as consultancy payments despite allegedly not providing the claimed services.

The agency has also alleged that its investigation uncovered evidence pointing to a wider financial trail and alleged hawala transactions. These are allegations by the investigating agency and have not been established as offences by a court.

Vijayan Denies Hawala Allegations

Pinarayi Vijayan has rejected allegations against himself and his family.

He has previously said that his “hands are clean” and that neither he nor his family members were involved in hawala dealings. Vijayan has also argued that his daughter was subjected to unusual scrutiny because of her relationship with him.

The latest ED request therefore comes amid a continuing dispute over both the substance of the allegations and the manner in which the investigation is being pursued.

CPI(M) Accuses ED of Political Motive

The CPI(M) has mounted a strong political defence of Vijayan and Riyas.

Party state secretary M.V. Govindan has accused the ED of attempting to create narratives against senior CPI(M) leaders and described the agency’s action as politically motivated.

The party has also questioned whether the Congress-led government will act on the ED’s request, given that the state police come under the Home Department of the state government.

The CPI(M)’s allegations of political targeting are claims by the party and have not been independently established.

Congress Government to Examine ED Request

The ED’s request has placed the Congress-led state government in a politically sensitive position.

State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has said the government will examine the communication received from the central agency. The final decision on registering an FIR rests with the state police after considering the ED’s report and applicable law.

This has given the issue a dual political and legal dimension, with the CPI(M) accusing the government of cooperating with the Centre while the Congress maintains that the investigation must be dealt with according to law.

CMRL Case Has Been Under ED Probe

The case stems from investigations into financial transactions involving CMRL and Exalogic Solutions.

The ED’s investigation followed earlier scrutiny by the Income Tax Department and other agencies. In May, the central agency conducted searches at locations connected with the case, including premises linked to Pinarayi Vijayan. The Kerala High Court had also allowed the ED investigation to continue after dismissing a petition seeking to quash the proceedings.

The ED has now sought a separate police FIR based on material it says emerged during its investigation.

Legal Process Now in Focus

The latest development does not amount to a conviction or a judicial finding of wrongdoing against Vijayan, Veena or Riyas.

The ED has made allegations and requested registration of a case. The Kerala Police and, subsequently, the courts will determine how the matter proceeds.

For Satheesan’s government, the immediate challenge is to demonstrate that the decision-making process is based on law rather than political considerations. For the CPI(M), the issue has become another point of confrontation with both the central agencies and the Congress-led state administration.

As the ED’s request is examined, the political battle in Kerala is likely to continue alongside the legal process.