ED registers PMLA case against accused for attack on ED officials

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against CPM workers who attacked the ED officials. All those named as accused in the police case have also been made accused in the ED case. The officials were attacked while returning after conducting a raid at the residence of opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan in the monthly payoff case.

The ED is investigating whether any money laundering transaction is behind the attack on its officials. Whether there were any financial transactions between the persons under investigation will also be examined. The agency will investigate the conspiracy behind the incident as well. Leaders present there at the time of the incident will also come under scrutiny. This is the first time PMLA has been invoked in an attempted murder case.

CPM workers attacked ED officials who were returning by car after conducting a raid at Pinarayi Vijayan’s private residence on May 27. The police had named 27 people as accused in the incident. The ED has also included those named in the police FIR as accused, based on the fact that attempted murder and conspiracy are offences listed as scheduled offences under the PMLA.