300 booked after attack on ED officials following raid linked to former Kerala CM Vijayan

Kerala Police have registered cases against approximately 300 individuals following an alleged violent attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and security personnel in Thiruvananthapuram. The incident reportedly erupted after ED officials concluded raids connected to the financial dealings of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter.

The First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Museum Police Station details serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including unlawful assembly, rioting, assault on public servants, wrongful restraint, and attempt to murder. Charges related to the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act have also been invoked. Section 109 of the BNS, pertaining to attempt to murder, carries a potential punishment of up to 10 years imprisonment or life imprisonment for severe injuries.

According to the FIR, the crowd, estimated at 300 people, gathered outside Vijayan's rented residence after the seven-hour search operation concluded. The report alleges that the group, armed with sticks, stones, and bricks, surrounded the ED officials' vehicles as they attempted to leave. The crowd reportedly shouted slogans calling for the officials' deaths. One officer sustained a hand injury, and the driver of another vehicle was seriously injured by thrown stones and bricks. Security personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force and Kerala Police also faced attacks.

Official vehicles sustained damage estimated at around ₹3 lakh. While police stated the accused are identifiable, no arrests have been made yet as the investigation, including the examination of video footage, continues. The ED raids were part of an investigation into alleged money laundering concerning CMRL, a sand mining company, and its financial dealings with Vijayan's daughter, Veena T. Ten premises across Kerala, including Vijayan's rented house and his permanent residence, were searched.