Source of Kodakara hawala money traces to Karnataka 'influential figure’; All details with ED

Kochi: The source of the Kodakara hawala money reportedly traces back to a prominent individual in Karnataka, as indicated in the report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). It is also suggested that the names of three BJP leaders from Kerala are also included in the report. It is believed that the funds, amounting to crores, were organised in Bengaluru by a high-profile individual there. The report also includes crucial details such as tower location data.

The report, which has yet to be publicly released, indicates that during the last Assembly election period, a sum of Rs 41.2 crore flowed into Kerala. According to the report, further investigation into the case could lead to more BJP leaders and the individual responsible for the fund transfers. The Kerala police investigation has identified this key individual, and these findings have been incorporated into the report shared with the ED.

The report details how Rs 41.2 crore entered Kerala during the last Assembly election via Dharmarajan, who had complained of the robbery in Kodakara . It includes a day-by-day breakdown of how the money was transported, who was involved, and the vehicles used to carry the funds. To date, however, the ED has not taken any action based on the report, which remains in the possession of the SIT and the ED.

According to the sources, the report lists the names of BJP leaders in Kerala and identifies those who managed the financial transactions within the state. On the same day, the hawala money was robbed in Kodakara, an amount of Rs 6.5 crore had reached Thrissur. Along with this, an amount of Rs 3.5 crore en route from Thrissur to Alappuzha was intercepted and stolen. Another Rs 6.5 crore had already reached Kerala earlier.

A separate report was submitted to the ED under the scope of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), detailing how hawala transactions were conducted in Bengaluru, along with data such as tower locations. Two hawala operators allegedly provided funds to Dharmarajan, each using a different mobile number upon reaching Bengaluru. All of this information is included in the report, according to sources.