Eight individuals have been arrested following a violent incident involving vehicles belonging to Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Kerala. The attack occurred shortly after the ED conducted a raid on the rented residence of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on May 27, 2026. State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar confirmed the arrests during a press briefing on Thursday.
Chandrasekhar stated that the investigation is progressing well, with additional suspects identified in connection to the violence. He revealed that discussions with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala emphasized the need for stringent action against those responsible for the attack. "He has directed to take strong action against the culprits," Chandrasekhar noted.
In response to the raid, approximately 300 individuals have been charged by the Kerala Police. The charges encompass multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including unlawful assembly, rioting, and assault on public servants. Among the most serious allegations is an attempt to murder, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years or life imprisonment if severe injuries occur.
The police chief indicated that adequate security measures were implemented around Vijayan's residence after receiving intelligence about the ED operation. However, he clarified that the police had not been informed in advance about the raid. "They (the ED) did not inform us, but once the operation began, we took action and deployed security," he explained.
The violence erupted when a crowd allegedly attacked officers accompanying the ED team, using sticks and injuring one officer in the hand. Reports indicate that stones and bricks were hurled at the vehicles, resulting in serious injuries to the driver of one car. Several officers from both the Central Reserve Police Force and the Kerala Police sustained injuries while attempting to manage the situation.
Damage to official vehicles has been estimated at around ₹3 lakh. Police officials have stated that the attackers are identifiable, and further arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues. The ED's raids were part of a broader inquiry into financial transactions involving Vijayan's daughter, T. Veena, and a sand mining company linked to the CMRL pay-off case. The operation targeted a total of 10 locations in Kerala, including both Vijayan's rented residence at Bakery Junction and his permanent home in Kannur.
The incident has drawn significant attention, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) condemning the ED's actions and calling for protests in Andhra Pradesh. The political fallout from the raid and subsequent violence continues to unfold, as authorities work to address the unrest sparked by the enforcement actions against Vijayan and his family.
