ED search linked to Exalogic probe sparks violence outside Pinarayi residence

Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raids at the residence of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his son-in-law P A Mohammed Riyas and others as part of its money laundering probe into alleged payments made to his daughter Veena T’s IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, triggered attacks on central agency officials in Thiruvananthapuram and sparked protests by CPM leaders and workers in several parts of the state on Wednesday.

In Thiruvananthapuram, clashes broke out when CPM workers who had gathered outside Vijayan’s residence since morning allegedly attacked the vehicle carrying ED officials as they were leaving after completing the raid. The large crowd, shouting slogans against the ED and the Centre, kicked the vehicles and banged fists and sticks on the windows and windshields. Protesters reportedly smashed the front and rear windshields using bricks and wooden sticks as tensions escalated following the conclusion of the eight-and-a-half-hour search operation.

The driver of the ED vehicle sustained an eye injury during the violence and was shifted to the medical college hospital. According to a complaint filed by the ED assistant director at the Museum police station, an enforcement officer and the vehicle driver were both injured in the attack. The complaint alleged that the crowd attacked the official team with the intention of causing harm to those inside the vehicle.

Police rejected allegations that adequate security was not provided to the ED team and said attacking govt officials while performing their duties is a criminal act. Officials said 12 people involved in the attack have been identified but tensions continued into the evening after the accused allegedly gathered at CPM’s Palayam area committee office. Police efforts to take them into custody met resistance as party workers and leaders assembled in large numbers outside the office.

Later, officers said the accused surrendered at the police station and four have been arrested.

Earlier in the day, demonstrators had held a peaceful protest outside the residence while the search operation was underway with Vijayan inside the house. The situation worsened as the day progressed, with protesters allegedly attempting to breach barricades, clashing with security personnel and hurling bottles and stones. Senior CPM leaders and former ministers V. Sivankutty and Kadakampally Surendran intervened and appealed for restraint, helping calm tensions temporarily — but the situation escalated again when ED officials emerged after completing the raid.

In Kottayam, DYFI took out a protest march to BJP state vice president Shone George’s residence in Pala on Wednesday afternoon. Shone is part of litigation connected to the alleged CMRL monthly payment case. The march was led by the DYFI district committee along with CPM regional leaders. Marchers were stopped by police barricades 500 metres from the house. Police also took measures to prevent clashes between the two groups, as BJP workers positioned on the opposite side heckled the protesters.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages and eid 2026