CMRL money-laundering case: ED summons ex-Keralam CM Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning on October 23

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

Former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan | Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning in the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL)-linked money-laundering case investigation on October 23, officials said on Friday (October 16, 2026).

They said the summons have been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) under which the Central agency has booked a case taking cognisance of a recent State police FIR in the matter.

Officials said Mr. Vijayan, 81, has been asked to depose before the ED office in Kochi on October 23.

The Keralam Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) recently registered two FIRs against Mr. Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena and son-in-law and former Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas in connection with the alleged CMRL payoff case.

The Kerala High Court on October 9 directed the VACB to register a case based on a report the ED submitted to the State police.

The Central agency sought case registration based on evidence gathered during its investigation and searches conducted under the anti-money laundering law.

The ED alleged that CMRL made fraudulent payments of ₹2.78 crore to Mr. Vijayan’s daughter’s now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions, under the guise of IT consultancy services.

On Friday, Mr. Vijayan moved the Supreme Court challenging the Kerala High Court order for the FIR’s registration.

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.