NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has intensified its investigation into money laundering allegations involving Veena Vijayan, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, following a recent Kerala High Court observation that the probe does not require a prior criminal case to proceed.
Officials said the court’s ruling has removed procedural hurdles that earlier slowed down the investigation, allowing the agency to move forward more aggressively in the politically sensitive matter. ED sources, however, maintained that the visit of senior officials, including Director Rahul Navin, was part of routine supervisory work and not influenced by the court’s order.
The case, already a point of political contention, is expected to further escalate tensions between the Congress and CPI(M). The opposition Congress has backed allegations linked to the probe, while CPI(M) has strongly objected to remarks made by Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, accusing the agency of selective action. The dispute has already prompted formal protest from CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby in a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Earlier, on May 27, ED officials conducted searches at the residence of the former Kerala chief minister, where Veena Vijayan was present.
Veena Vijayan is accused of receiving ₹1.7 crore from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), allegedly in exchange for services provided through her computer solutions firm. The agency is examining the financial transactions as part of its broader money laundering investigation.