ED Moves Court, Claims CPI(M) Leaders Instigated Attack After Vijayan Residence Search

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged before the Thiruvananthapuram District and Sessions Court that the attack on its officials after a search at former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence was part of a “deep-rooted criminal conspiracy” allegedly involving top CPI(M) leadership .

The agency made the claim while opposing the bail plea of Lenin Raj , the 12th accused in the case linked to the alleged assault on ED personnel.

The incident occurred last month when an ED team searched the rented Thiruvananthapuram residence where Vijayan was staying as part of a money laundering probe involving his daughter Veena T . The ED alleged that after the search, its officials and security personnel were returning when CPI(M) activists blocked their vehicles and damaged them .

A case was registered against around 300 people , with several CPI(M) workers arrested. In its court submission, the ED claimed the protest was not spontaneous and alleged that the involvement of senior party leaders, including the state and district secretaries, pointed to a larger conspiracy.

The agency further alleged that provocative speeches and aggressive statements by party leaders encouraged supporters to turn the protest violent, calling the incident a threat to the rule of law .

The controversy intensified after accused Harish Kumar , the ninth accused, was granted bail. The police later claimed their objections against the bail plea were not properly presented before the court. The ED subsequently sought to intervene in the case and challenged Kumar’s bail in the Kerala High Court.

During Monday’s hearing, Special Public Prosecutor A Santhosh Kumar sought more time on behalf of the police. District and Sessions Judge Nazeera S adjourned the hearing on Lenin Raj’s bail plea to July 3 .