CMRL-Exalogic Case: ED Cites Notebook Seized From Pinarayi Vijayan’s Daughter’s Residence

ED Cites Handwritten Notebook in CMRL-Exalogic Case

The Enforcement Directorate has cited a handwritten notebook allegedly seized from the residence of T Veena, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, as part of its investigation into the CMRL-Exalogic case.

According to The Economic Times, the notebook was seized on May 27, 2026. The agency referred to entries in the notebook in a 25-page communication sent to the Kerala Police concerning alleged financial transactions linked to the case.

The ED has alleged that the records point to a possible route through which Indian rupees were converted into UAE dirhams and transferred through channels that may involve hawala transactions.

These are allegations made in the course of the investigation and should not be treated as proof of criminal wrongdoing.

What Does the Notebook Record?

According to the report, one page of the notebook contains several entries relating to deposits, a transfer to an individual identified as Faijaz VP, and an account balance.

The figures recorded on the page include:

• Total deposit: AED 2,82,600

• Transfer to Faijaz VP: AED 1,46,600

• Account balance: AED 1,36,002 as of September 17, 2024

The report noted that subtracting the recorded transfer from the total deposit produces AED 1,36,000, a difference of just AED 2 from the stated balance.

The ED has cited these entries as part of its assessment of the alleged money trail. However, the numerical relationship between the entries does not, by itself, establish the source or purpose of the funds.

Notebook Also Mentions ₹85 Lakh

The same page reportedly contains the entries “Total sent from here - 85L” and “Total Faijaz received - 349K (AED).”

According to the report, investigators have not established whether these figures relate to the same transactions or how much of the ₹85 lakh mentioned in the notebook, if any, was transferred through hawala channels rather than banks.

A second page reportedly lists two local transfers of 94,100 and 52,500, followed by a total transfer of 1,46,600 to Faijaz’s account.

The notebook reportedly attributes the 52,500 entry to a Mashreq bank account associated with Faijaz. The currency for the entries on that page was not specified in the report.

ED's Allegations About a Dubai-Linked Money Trail

The ED has interpreted the notebook entries as potentially indicating the movement of money involving India and the United Arab Emirates.

The agency's communication to Kerala Police reportedly included financial records, witness statements and other material collected during its investigation.

The ED has also linked certain alleged transactions to individuals associated with the wider case. However, the reported notebook entries do not themselves name Pinarayi Vijayan or PA Mohammed Riyas.

The distinction is important: the agency's interpretation of the records remains an allegation, and the entries must be assessed alongside other evidence and the responses of those concerned.

What Is the CMRL-Exalogic Case?

The case concerns alleged financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, a company associated with Veena Vijayan.

The ED has alleged that payments made by CMRL were not supported by corresponding services and may have formed part of a wider arrangement involving improper payments. The agency has examined financial records and other material as part of its investigation.

The allegations have not been established as criminal findings through a final judicial determination.

Kerala High Court Directed Registration of an FIR

The notebook issue is part of a wider legal dispute over the material sent by the ED to Kerala Police.

On October 9, 2026, the Kerala High Court directed the state’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR based on information supplied by the ED. The court also set aside the decision to conduct a preliminary inquiry through a special police team. <Cite refs={["turn824265search1"]}/>

The material cited in the proceedings reportedly included financial transaction records, witness statements, notebook entries and other documents.

The direction to register an FIR was a procedural and legal development; it did not amount to a final determination of guilt.

Supreme Court Subsequently Stayed the Investigation Temporarily

The legal position developed further when the Supreme Court, on October 21, granted temporary relief allowing the accused to challenge the Kerala High Court order.

According to The Economic Times, the Supreme Court stayed the investigation into the corruption FIRs for seven days while allowing Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena T and PA Mohammed Riyas to pursue an appeal before the High Court’s Division Bench.

The Supreme Court clarified that its observations did not express an opinion on the merits of the allegations. The FIRs remained in place while the investigation was temporarily stayed. <Cite refs={["turn824265search2"]}/>

What Happens Next?

The case involves competing legal questions concerning the ED's findings, the role of state police and the evidentiary significance of the financial records.

The notebook entries may be examined alongside bank records, witness statements and other documents to determine the nature and purpose of the transactions. The legal proceedings will also determine how the investigation can proceed under the applicable law.

Until the evidence is tested through the appropriate legal process, the allegations should not be treated as established facts.

Key Takeaways

• The ED has cited a handwritten notebook allegedly seized from T Veena’s residence on May 27, 2026.

• The notebook reportedly records a deposit of AED 2,82,600 and a transfer of AED 1,46,600.

• The stated account balance was AED 1,36,002, a difference of AED 2 from the balance calculated using the other two figures.

• The notebook also reportedly mentions ₹85 lakh and a separate total of AED 349,000 received by Faijaz.

• The ED has alleged that the entries indicate a possible hawala-linked money trail.

• The Kerala High Court directed registration of an FIR based on information supplied by the ED.

• The Supreme Court subsequently stayed the investigation temporarily to allow an appeal.

• The allegations have not been established by a final judicial determination.

Bottom Line

The handwritten notebook has become a significant element in the ED’s allegations concerning a Dubai-linked financial trail in the CMRL-Exalogic case. Its entries include deposits, transfers and an account balance that the agency says warrant investigation.

However, the notebook figures alone do not establish the source, purpose or legality of the transactions. The case remains subject to legal scrutiny, and the Supreme Court’s temporary stay of the investigation was not a ruling on the merits of the allegations.

Disclaimer: This article summarises reported allegations and legal developments. Allegations should not be interpreted as proof of guilt.