Home dept examining AG’s legal opinion on ED’s request to register case against Pinarayi Vijayan: Chennithala

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Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala | Photo Credit: R.K. Nithin

Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday (September 19, 2026) said the government had received the Advocate General’s legal opinion on the ED’s request to register a corruption case against Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena and son-in-law and MLA P.A. Mohamed Riyas.

The Enforcement Directorate had recently sent a letter to State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar seeking registration of an FIR against Mr. Vijayan, Ms. Veena, Mr. Riyas and some others in connection with the alleged CMRL bribery case, based on “evidence” gathered during its probe and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The ED has alleged that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Ms. Veena’s now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions, under the guise of “IT consultancy services”.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Chennithala said the legal opinion was received on Friday evening and that the Home Department was currently examining it.

“Our Home Department is currently examining it. Further steps will be decided after consulting with the Chief Minister,” he said.

Asked about reports that the Advocate General had recommended registration of a case based on the ED’s recommendation, Mr. Chennithala said he had not seen the opinion as he received it only after leaving office on Friday.

“I haven’t seen it. I received it after I left office on Friday. After examining it, decisions on further action will be made on Monday or Tuesday as we have holidays these days,” he said.

Asked whether Chief Minister V D Satheesan would discuss the case while meeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, Mr. Chennithala said there was no need for such a discussion.

“I don’t know if they have spoken. There’s no need for me to know; these are matters to be decided here,” he said.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby alleged that the ED action was aimed at the CPI(M), specifically targeting Mr. Vijayan.

“It may seem to you that this attack is specifically targeting comrade Pinarayi Vijayan, its most prominent former CM and Opposition Leader. This is indeed aimed at the CPI(M),” Mr. Baby said.

He alleged that the BJP leadership was now targeting Keralam and would get the support and cooperation of the Congress and the UDF to make inroads into the state.

Mr. Baby also referred to the BJP’s rise to power in Tripura and West Bengal and alleged that it had happened with the help of local Congress units.

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