New Delhi (India) May 27: The Opposition Leader of Kerala and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's residence on Wednesday became the site of protest by angry activists and public who attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials while they were leaving from there after finishing their raid.

ED Officials Attacked During Exit

According to images flashed on the television channels, alleged CPI(M) activists reached Mr. Vijayan's rental home and began to protest the raid. Things turned nasty when some activists blocked the vehicle carrying the ED officials and then pelted stones at it.

It was very difficult for police and central security personnel to contain the huge number of protestors. Women ED officials were in the vehicle when it was attacked by a large mob. The wind shield of the vehicle was smashed in the stone pelting.

Pinarayi Vijayan Calls Raid 'Targeted'

The Opposition Leader of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan termed the searches conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at his residence here as a "targeted crackdown" against leaders of the opposition parties.

He also claimed that it would be a 'mental satisfaction' for some like Rahul Gandhi whose residences are not raided nor who is arrested, for his frequent queries regarding why his home was not searched or why he was not arrested, the Opposition Leader added.

"Some people like (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi would be happy, as the narrative by him was why Pinarayi Vijayan is not being arrested," he said.

Pinarayi Slams BJP Over ED Action

The CPI(M) leader told reporters after completion of the hours-long searches at his rented house in Bakery Junction over the alleged CMRL monthly payment case that this raid will not weaken him or the CPI(M).

The senior leader also alleged that central agencies have been used against opposition leaders since the BJP-led central government came to power, stating that it was also the same modus operandi applied this time.

“The BJP government has always targeted political adversaries. The Congress also took the stand that if not their leaders, then there is no issue. But we are not going to be cowed down," he added.

ED Probes Veena Vijayan CMRL Case

The central agency’s actions were initiated following a dismissal by the High Court to quash the ED's procedures and cancellation of the summons issued by the agency. The complaint made by the ED was that Rs 1.72 crore from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) were collected over time by an IT firm called Exalogic, which is owned by the daughter of former CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena T. 

It was not used to provide IT services that were never provided, but instead to settle the loans given to Veena's firm. The case registered by ED in 2024, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), will investigate these charges.