kerala-vigilance-seeks-cbi-probe-against-satheesan

The Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has officially recommended a CBI probe into Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan, centering on alleged Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) violations involving his post-flood rehabilitation project, 'Punarjani'. The report, now sitting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, suggests that Satheesan used a private trip abroad to collect foreign funds that were later funneled into accounts back in Kerala.

 

According to the VACB findings, Satheesan allegedly helped collect around nearly ₹20 lakh from individuals in the UK through a foundation called Manappattu. Reports suggest that the money moved through a UK-based NGO, the Midland International Aid Trust, into the foundation's FCRA account. The report stated that GBP 22,500 (valued around ₹19.95 lakh) was collected from various individuals in the UK and transferred to the foundation's account. The Vigilance department argues this violates Section 3 of the FCRA, which bars politicians from accepting foreign contributions.

 

Satheesan, currently in Wayanad, met the news with a mix of defiance and sarcasm. He pointed out that the state’s own Vigilance department had previously investigated these same claims and dropped them for lack of evidence. "If the plan is to keep a case hanging over me in January because elections might be announced in March, then so be it," he told reporters. He made it clear he wouldn't be asking the Chief Minister for any favors, stating he is more than ready to face the CBI both legally and on the political stage.

 

The Congress leadership has closed ranks around Satheesan, dismissed the move as a desperate political stunt by the CPI(M) ahead of the Assembly polls. AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal and KPCC President Sunny Joseph both labeled the recommendation a "gimmick," noting that previous probes yielded nothing. Senior leaders like Ramesh Chennithala and K Muraleedharan also slammed the government, accusing the LDF of trying to revive a dead case to smear the opposition leader just as the state moves into election mode.

 

Also read: Kerala MLA Antony Raju found guilty in evidence tampering case