Protesters Attack ED Vehicle After Raid at Former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s House

Dramatic scenes unfolded in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were attacked by a mob after conducting a raid at the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The violence broke out just as the officials were attempting to leave the premises following their investigation into the CMRL pay-off case.

Visuals from the scene showed a large group of protesters, suspected to be CPI(M) workers, surrounding the ED's vehicle. The situation quickly turned chaotic as the crowd blocked the road and pelted stones at the car. The windshield of the vehicle, which was carrying both male and female officials, was shattered during the ruckus. Local police and central security personnel had a tough time controlling the aggressive crowd as they tried to ensure a safe passage for the federal agents.

The ED searches weren't limited to just one location. Raids were reportedly carried out at 12 different spots across Kerala. This included the residence of former Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas in Kozhikode, as well as the houses of mining company promoters. The investigation is part of a wider probe into a money laundering case linked to CMRL.

The CPI(M) has strongly condemned the ED’s actions, calling it a politically motivated move. Party leaders have alleged a hidden nexus between the Congress and the BJP, claiming the raids are an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the former Chief Minister. While the political blame game continues, the physical confrontation in the state capital has raised serious concerns about the safety of officials performing their duties.

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