ED takes decisive step in Karuvannur money laundering case; will write to state police chief

The Enforcement Directorate is preparing to take action in the Thrissur Karuvannur money laundering case. It will write to the state police chief regarding the findings of the investigation. The details of the CPM being named as an accused and the money received in the party's accounts will be handed over to the police chief.

The action is under Section 66(2) of the PMLA Act. Details of the accused who took loans and caused a huge financial burden to the bank will be handed over. Meanwhile, the High Court will again consider the petition today questioning the delay in the Crime Branch investigation in Karuvannur. The single bench had expressed deep dissatisfaction over the state police investigation not getting anywhere even after four years.

The state government's reply was that the investigation was not progressing because the Enforcement Directorate had taken all the case files. The court had said yesterday that if it goes like this, the case will have to be handed over to the CBI. Meanwhile, a charge sheet will be filed in the case soon. Meanwhile, permission has been given to add former minister A C Moideen and former CPI(M) Thrissur district secretary M M Varghese as accused in the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank fraud case. The ED headquarters has given permission for the second phase of the accused list consisting of twenty accused. The charge sheet will be filed after the third phase of the accused list is also approved.

Those who have illegally obtained loans will also be accused in the case. The accused list was approved by the ED headquarters. It is reported that there will be more than 80 accused in the case. ED sources say that more CPI(M) leaders will be included in the accused list. Meanwhile, the ED had decided to make MP K Radhakrishnan a witness in the case. The ED's move came after K Radhakrishnan's statement was recorded.

Meanwhile, K Radhakrishnan MP had said that the ED was summoned in the Karuvannur bank fraud case not for questioning. K Radhakrishnan was speaking to the media after the procedures at the ED office in Kochi. K Radhakrishnan had said that the ED was summoned to clarify the statements given by many people and that the police were not questioning him in a routine manner.

K Radhakrishnan MP said that the CPI(M) district committee does not have an account in Karuvannur bank. My Aadhaar, PAN card and property details had already been handed over. The police were not questioning me in a routine manner. K Radhakrishnan MP said that the ED has been informed of the facts, including documents. K Radhakrishnan added that the publicity is that he is an accused in the case and there is no basis for it.