Old Vigilance report surfaces giving clean chit to VD Satheesan in Punarjani case

Thiruvananthapuram: An earlier Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) report clearing Kerala Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan in the Punarjani rehabilitation project case has surfaced, even as the agency has recently recommended a CBI probe into the matter.

A vigilance report submitted to the Kerala government in September last year has categorically stated that the funds collected for the Punarjani project were never credited to Satheesan’s personal bank account. The report, a copy of which has now accessed by Mathrubhumi News, was submitted in response to a clarification sought by the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly.

Based on its findings, the vigilance department concluded that there was no evidence of financial misconduct by Satheesan and that no corruption case could be sustained against him.

The controversy had its origins in a video that surfaced earlier, showing Satheesan seeking financial assistance at an event held in Birmingham, UK, to support the reconstruction of houses for flood-affected families in the North Paravur constituency. Following this, a complaint was lodged with the vigilance department, prompting a probe.

The report also noted that Satheesan was not an office-bearer of the foundation involved in collecting the funds, and therefore vigilance action on allegations of fund misappropriation was not maintainable.

Reacting to the development, Satheesan said that he would fight the matter personally and politically.

The LoP also said he does not need any particular consideration or favour in the case, and he has no issue with the CBI probing the matter.

"I am confident that the case will not stand legally. If the intention is to keep a case against me in January, when elections are likely to be announced in March, let that happen. I will face it politically and legally," he said.

He said the Vigilance itself had dropped the case after a thorough investigation earlier, and the investigators could not find any evidence against him. He claimed that even some investigating officers themselves had told him that they could not find anything against him during their probe.

"There are several reports submitted by investigating officers in this matter. What the investigating officers told me is something I still hold in my mind with pride. I will not demand that the case not be handed over to the CBI, nor will I ask the chief minister to help me," he said.

Accusing the state government of deliberately taking up the matter as the Assembly election is round the corner, the LoP also said the government can do whatever they want, and he will fight it legally and politically.