Centre removes ED officer P Radhakrishnan, who probed Kerala diplomatic gold case, amid bribery row

Kochi: The Centre has removed Enforcement Directorate (ED) Deputy Director P Radhakrishnan from service following bribery allegations. The Union government has ordered his compulsory retirement, based on a directive issued by the Ministry of Finance. Action has been taken under Section 56J.

Radhakrishnan is an officer who had investigated several major cases, including the diplomatic gold smuggling case, and had led the arrest of former Principal Secretary to Kerala Chief Minister M Sivasankar. Allegations had emerged that attempts were made to reach an out-of-court settlement during certain later stages of the investigation. The BJP had also raised similar accusations.

There were further allegations that Radhakrishnan had engaged in unusual and improper interventions in several other key cases. He was subsequently transferred to Chennai, though he later returned to take charge in Kochi. During this period, cashew businessman Aneesh Babu came forward accusing ED officials of demanding bribes.

Although Radhakrishnan’s name was initially included in the list of officers accused by Aneesh Babu, it was later amended. An internal inquiry into the matter had been underway within the ED. His removal from service comes days after he was transferred to Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.