Case registered against 57 over protest during ED raid at Riyas’ house

The fallout from the raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at the Kozhikode residence of Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader and former Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas continues, with the Kozhikode Medical College police registering a case against 57 people, including several prominent CPI(M) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leaders, in connection with a protest at the site.

Those named in the case include CPI(M) district secretary M. Mehboob, DYFI State president M. Vaseef, former MLA A. Pradeepkumar, and former CPI(M) Kozhikode district secretary P. Mohanan.

The anti-money laundering operation was conducted on May 27 as part of an investigation into the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL)-Exalogic Solutions political payoff case involving T. Veena, daughter of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. CMRL had allegedly paid Exalogic Solutions for services that were never rendered, and raids were conducted in 12 locations linked to Exalogic Solutions, including the residence of Mr. Riyas, son-in-law of Mr. Vijayan and an MLA representing the Beypore constituency.

The police registered the case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The accused gathered outside the MLA’s residence and on the adjoining street, where they allegedly used force against the police and raised slogans. Their conduct is said to have blocked the road, disrupting public movement and the passage of officials and vehicles. The protesters allegedly refused to disperse despite official orders and attempted to block the ED officials’ vehicle when they left the site after the raid.

Officials said ED officers left the site after the raid with police assistance. The police registered a case the following day. The probe into the case is ongoing, said an official.