V D Satheesan welcomes CBI probe into Punarjani scheme: ‘The case won’t stand in court’

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan on Sunday welcomed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau’s (VACB) recommendation for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the Punarjani scheme. The senior Congress leader said he would cooperate fully with any inquiry, asserting his confidence that the investigation would uncover no evidence against him.

The Punarjani scheme was launched by Satheesan in the aftermath of the 2018 Kerala floods to rehabilitate flood-affected families in Paravur, Ernakulam, his constituency. He has been accused of financial irregularities in raising foreign funds through the Manappattu Foundation and a UK-based NGO, Midland International Aid Trust.

Satheesan said the case had earlier been dropped after a detailed investigation, with all relevant evidence examined. He maintained that the VACB had abandoned the case previously and that the inquiry had already stretched over four to five years. “The case will not stand in court,” he said, adding that the investigation had been conducted “with 100 per cent perfection”.

He alleged that the case, which relates to a scheme implemented seven years ago, had been revived in the run-up to the upcoming Assembly elections. Satheesan also claimed that it was CPM state secretary M V Govindan, and not the VACB, who had framed him in the case. The final decision on acting upon the VACB report rests with the state cabinet.

Further, the Congress leader also referred to Saturday’s verdict in the high-profile ‘underwear’ evidence tampering case, in which MLA and former Transport Minister Antony Raju was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by the Nedumangad Judicial First Class Magistrate Court. “Something was needed to balance that,” Satheesan quipped with a laugh.

He added that, as Leader of the Opposition, he did not expect any political favours from the Chief Minister.

Satheesan told reporters that the CBI had in the past recommended investigations against senior Congress leaders, including former chief minister Oommen Chandy and former Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala.

Initial investigation launched in 2023

The initial probe into the Punarjani scheme was launched in June 2023, after which the VACB’s preliminary inspection reportedly found no irregularities. The VACB’s recommendation for a CBI inquiry was based on a report submitted about a year ago.

Investigators said around ₹20 lakh was collected from the UK through the Manappattu Foundation and deposited into the organisation’s accounts. Under existing norms, prior approval from the Union ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs is mandatory for receiving any form of foreign aid, including contributions to voluntary organisations.