ED points fingers at Pinarayi Vijayan and others in CMRL‑Exalogic controversy

On September 8, 2026, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) dispatched a formal letter to the Kerala State Police chief, urging the registration of a criminal case that it says revolves around a murky CMRL‑Exalogic transaction.

According to the agency, the deal allegedly involved a bribe of roughly ₹3.28 crore that was supposedly funneled through the former chief minister’s daughter, Veena, and then whisked off to a Dubai‑based entity. The ED’s narrative leans heavily on statements made by P. Suresh Kumar, who once served as the chief financial officer of the state‑run Kerala Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).

Among the names that appear in the ED’s recommendation are:

• Pinarayi Vijayan – the former chief minister, accused of accepting the ₹3.28 crore in cash.
• Veena Vijayan – alleged to have acted as the conduit for collecting and moving the money.
• Mohammed Riyas – the current minister, said to have helped route the funds overseas.
• S. N. Sasidharan Kartha – CMRL managing director, purportedly involved in disbursing the bribe.
• P. Suresh Kumar – the ex‑CFO, accused of facilitating the payment.
• Exalogic Solutions Private Limited – the corporate façade the ED says was used to disguise the transaction.
• Empower India Capital Investments Private Limited – another shell firm allegedly employed for the money transfer.
• Several individuals – Shaijal Mohammad, Nikhil, Hassan Wari s, Faijas V.P., Nandalal M., and a handful of unidentified persons, all alleged to have assisted in the alleged diversion of funds.

Kerala’s Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala confirmed that the state government had indeed received the ED’s correspondence. While he stopped short of commenting on the merits of the allegations, Chennithala pledged that “appropriate action will be taken in accordance with established procedures” and advised the public to “wait and watch.”

The ED’s letter, however, is not a verdict. It merely recommends that the police investigate; the onus now lies with the Kerala police to examine the evidence, decide whether there is sufficient ground to file a First Information Report (FIR), and then follow the legal process.

Legal analysts point out that even if an FIR is lodged, the individuals named will retain the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. The case also underscores the recurring tension between investigative agencies and state governments in India, especially when senior political figures are implicated.

As the story develops, reporters will be watching for the police’s response, any potential arrests, and how the political landscape in Kerala reacts to these serious accusations.