Setback for Ibrahim Kunju as HC vacates stay on ED probe in Palarivattom case

Kochi: The division bench of the Kerala High Court vacated the stay on the probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against former public works minister VK Ibrahim Kunju in the Palarivattom bridge construction case on Wednesday. The court granted the ED's request for an investigation into alleged black money transactions related to ‘corruption’ in the construction of the overbridge.

The ED had initiated an inquiry based on a petition filed by Girish Babu, a native of Kalamassery. However, Ibrahim Kunju approached the High Court and obtained a stay on the investigation from a single bench.
The ED argued that it was crucial to investigate the matter as they possessed significant information regarding the alleged corruption. 

The state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had previously stated that crores of rupees were swindled in connection with the construction of the Palarivattom flyover during the UDF government, and the LDF government had undertaken repairs after discovering cracks in the flyover.