I-T Department takes statements from MM Varghese, inspects CPM bank accounts

Thrissur/ Kochi: In simultaneous operations, the Income Tax Department took statements from Thrissur CPM district secretary M M Varghese in the Karuvannur Cooperative bank fraud case in Kochi and inspected the account details of the CPM in a bank near the Thrissur District Committee Office. 

Acting on a tip off that the CPM has a secret account with Rs 3.8 crore in the bank, five officers from the Thrissur unit of the Income Tax Department inspected the details. The inspection began at 12 pm and  lasted till late night on Friday. No bank officials were allowed to venture out during the inspection. 

Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department took statements from Varghese after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) interrogated him in the same case. The Department’s investigation team reached by 6.30 pm with a warrant and took his statement after three hours of interrogation.

However, they reportedly left without getting satisfactory statements from Varghese over not including the bank account details in the income tax returns. His phone was also confiscated into custody by the officials. 

Sources in the Income Tax Department informed that neither the CPM nor its Thrissur district secretary had revealed the details of the account with a huge amount of money in any records.