VD Satheesan, K Surendran accuse each other of benefitting from Kerala govt over cases against them

Kottayam: Amidst campaigning for Puthuppally byelection, opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, and BJP state president K Surendran accused each other of benefitting from the state government’s “soft approach” towards leaders.

While Satheesan questioned why “no case was registered against” Surendran in the Kodakara hawala-money heist case, the BJP chief accused the Kerala government of having a soft corner for Satheesan in the 'Punarjani scam’.

Addressing a press conference in Manarcad, Surendran said. "The allegations against Satheesan’s overseas funds collection for charitable purposes are not being probed. Why is Mathew Kuzhalnadan treated differently?" he asked.

Surendran claimed that he was summoned to the police station “daily” for questioning and evidence collection in cases against him.

“How many times was Satheesan summoned? Why is there a selective approach to him?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Satheesan said that Surendran was let go in the hawala-money heist case after "begging in front of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan."

Both Congress and BJP accused each other of having a secret pact with CPM.

Background of Kodakara, Punarjani cases

The BJP is facing charges of using "hawala" money in the Kerala Assembly polls last year. According to a complaint filed on April 7, 2021, a gang stopped a car on the Kodakara flyover here and looted Rs 25 lakh kept in the vehicle on the way to Kochi from Kozhikode. Police registered a case over the heist. It was probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the Thrissur Range DIG. The investigators later found that the actual amount was much more than that and it was a "hawala" transaction. The government said the money was brought from Karnataka, for the BJP's Assembly election campaign. Police arrested 23 people and recovered Rs 1,58,48,801. Police have submitted a chargesheet in the case. K Surendran is the 7th witness in the case. CM Pinarayi Vijayan in the Assembly said that "witnesses may become accused during the trial."

Besides, police handed over the details to the Enforcement Directorate and it was up to the central agency to probe the source of money.

Following the 2018 floods in Kerala, VD Satheesan launched a project named 'Punarjani' to construct homes for those who lost their houses in the disaster. However, it was later alleged that Satheesan violated the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

The Kerala government has sanctioned a preliminary probe by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) against Satheesan in connection, based on a complaint lodged by Jaison Panikulangara, an office-bearer of Kathikudam Action Council.

As per the complaint, Satheesan has been accused of soliciting foreign funds without proper permission, thereby violating rules. The probe is being carried out by the Ernakulam unit of the Vigilance. An order in this regard will be issued soon.