CPI(M) Attacks ED Over Probe Involving Pinarayi Vijayan’s Daughter Veena, Calls It ‘Political Vendetta’

The CPI(M) in Kerala has launched a sharp attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over its money laundering investigation involving T Veena, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing the central agency of pursuing a “political witch-hunt”. In an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Deshabhimani Daily on Friday, the CPI(M) alleged that investigating agencies were being used to target political opponents and create an atmosphere of fear.

The attack came two days after the ED said it had recovered handwritten notes containing details of fund transfers to Dubai during searches linked to the case.

CPI(M) questions ED probe

The Deshabhimani editorial alleged that the ED was “weaving detective stories” and prolonging the investigation without establishing wrongdoing.

“Investigating agencies are not political weapons of the ruling dispensation; they are institutions accountable to the Constitution and the law,” the editorial said.

The CPI(M) alleged that central agencies had increasingly been used against political opponents since the Narendra Modi government came to power. It cited investigations involving Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and alleged that media organisations critical of the government had also faced pressure from central agencies.

The party claimed that targeting political leaders over allegations involving individuals amounted to “political vendetta”.

‘Allegations do not prove guilt’

The CPI(M) said investigating agencies should conduct probes, gather evidence and file chargesheets according to law, rather than allow allegations to be circulated through the media.

“An allegation does not make a person a criminal. A name appearing in an FIR, a raid being conducted or a report appearing in the media does not prove guilt,” the editorial said.

It added that guilt could be established only by a court.

CPI(M) says it will fight ‘politically and legally’

The CPI(M) alleged that BJP and UDF leaders facing allegations had not been subjected to similar investigations.

It also rejected what it described as attempts to weaken the party through central investigating agencies, saying it had the “strength and resolve” to respond democratically, legally and politically.

The editorial said the CPI(M) was a movement built through decades of engagement with workers, farmers and ordinary people and asserted that the alleged use of investigating agencies would not succeed in weakening the party.

The ED's investigation, meanwhile, continues, with the agency examining the alleged financial transactions involving CMRL and Exalogic and material recovered during its searches.

What is the CMRL-Exalogic case?

The ED's investigation centres on Kerala-based mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a company promoted by Veena that is now defunct.

The probe concerns allegations that CMRL paid ₹2.78 crore to Exalogic without receiving services in return.

The ED registered a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), based on a prosecution complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) before a court in Kochi.

Veena and members of the CMRL board have been questioned several times as part of the investigation.