ED Pastes Summon Notice At Pinarayi Vijayan’s Residence, Seeks Asset And Investment Details

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has pasted a summons notice at the Thiruvananthapuram residence of former Kerala Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking details of his bank accounts, assets, investments and alleged financial links with Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).

The notice was pasted after Vijayan was found unavailable at his rented residence in the state capital, as he was in Kannur. According to the information available, the staff present at the residence did not accept the notice on his behalf, following which the agency pasted it on the compound.

The ED has sought details of all bank accounts and fixed deposits held by Vijayan and entities associated with him in India and abroad. The summons

also seeks supporting documents relating to his movable and immovable assets, including bank lockers, held in India and overseas.

The agency has further asked for copies of income tax returns filed for the financial years from 2016 to 2026, along with details of entities associated with Vijayan and his family members in India and abroad, including investments made in them.

The summons also seeks details of funds allegedly received by Vijayan, his family members or people connected with him from CMRL or its managing director, Sashidhar Kartha.

CPM Calls ED Action Political Vendetta

Reacting to the development, senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader M V Jayarajan termed the ED’s action a “drama” and accused the agency of targeting political opponents.

Jayarajan claimed that the ED was aware that Vijayan was in Kannur and was scheduled to attend party meetings there from the following day. Questioning why the agency visited his rented residence in Thiruvananthapuram, he said Vijayan was not absconding.

“This is political vengeance,” Jayarajan said, alleging that the ED was being used as a weapon against Opposition leaders.

He also linked the timing of the summons to proceedings in the case before the Supreme Court. Jayarajan claimed that the agency knew the court would remain closed until October 26 and had consequently asked Vijayan to appear before it this week.

According to Jayarajan, Vijayan may appear before the agency, but the decision would depend on the Supreme Court’s verdict.

The ED’s move comes amid a politically charged dispute over the agency’s action against the senior CPM leader. The allegations concerning financial links with CMRL remain subject to the proceedings, and the summons itself does not establish wrongdoing.