Kochi: Former minister VK Ibrahim Kunju may not appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the Palarivattom flyover scam. Citing health concerns, he sought more time to appear before ED.

ED had served notice to Ibrahim Kunju along with PK Kunhalikutty demanding them to appear for questioning as part of the probe. ED during the probe found that a kickback of Rs 10 crores received through corruption over the construction of Palarivattom flyover was laundered through Chandrika daily’s account.

In the meantime, Ibrahim Kunju approached the High Court seeking to quash the ED probe. ED started the probe in this case on the basis of an order by a High Court single bench. He pleaded before the court that the order was given without hearing his side and is against a Supreme Court direction.

As per the petition filed by a Kalamassery resident, Ibrahim Kunju laundered black money worth Rs 10 crores when he was the chairman of the governing body of Chandrika daily. However, he argued that governing body is concerned only with increasing circulation of the daily. He also sought a stay order on all further proceedings over the case until a final verdict.