Karuvannur case: Former minister AC Moideen to appear before ED on Monday

Thrissur: In connection with the money laundering case involving Karuvannur cooperative bank, former minister and CPM state committee member AC Moideen will appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday. The ED had issued notices to Moideen twice previously, but he was unable to attend.

On July 22, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted an inspection at Moideen's residence, during which they froze a fixed deposit of Rs 28 lakh held jointly in the name of Moideen and his wife. Summons were issued following the inspection.

Thrissur corporation councillor Anoop Davis Cada, and Wadakkanchery municipal standing committee chairman PR Aravindakshan were also summoned on Monday.

There are indications that they may be interrogated together. All of them are being questioned in connection with financial dealer Satheesh Kumar. The ED has questioned Madhu Ambalapuram and KA Jijor, close associates of Satheesh Kumar. The ED believes that these persons acted as intermediaries in financial transactions.

In a report submitted to the court, the ED stated that a former MP was also involved in financial transactions with Satheesh Kumar, with telephone recordings and testimonies supporting this claim. Sources said the MP would be summoned on Wednesday. The agency has not named the person.

The case revolves around alleged unauthorised loans given since 2010, which resulted in the misappropriation of crores of deposits from the bank. The cooperative department estimates fraudulent transactions to exceed more than Rs 125 crore. Moideen, who was the minister of cooperation at that time, has been alleged to have a connection to these transactions. Moideen and CPM have denied the allegations.