ED to initiate probe against V.D Satheesan’s Punarjani project

Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an investigation into the Punarjani case involving the leader of the opposition in Kerala, V.D Satheesan. The complainant Jaison Panikulangara was summoned to the ED office in Kochi and his statement recorded. The investigating team had  collected information regarding this case last year.

Punarjani is a flood rehabilitation scheme implemented in Paravur, Ernakulam, Satheesan’s constituency. It was alleged that Satheesan received foreign aid illegally for this project. 

Satheesan had earlier said that construction of over 200 houses would be completed and that compensation was offered to 1750 shops in Paravur under the Punarjani scheme. An investigation by the state vigilance was also conducted in this regard. ED will examine whether the Foreign Aid Control Act (FCRA) has been violated. 

As per norms, prior approval of the union Home and External Affairs Ministries is mandatory for accepting any form of foreign aid, including that of voluntary organisations. Jaison had handed over evidence of Satheesan’s alleged foreign travel with respect to receiving the aid to the ED at the time of filing the complaint.