Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate has initiated a probe against the former panchayat administrative committee for granting permission to the illegal apartment constructions in Maradu here. The probe is being conducted against the committee including CPM leader KA Devassy. ED questioned the apartment builders as part of the probe.

The probe is relating to the financial dealings on the permission granted for construction of apartments violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

ED had summoned the owner of Jain Housing Sandeep Mehta for interrogation. It had received statements from some employees that Rs 5 lakh was offered to the administrative committee for initial approval of construction. Following this ED summoned the owner.

Soon, the members of the committee will be summoned for questioning.

It was crime branch that was conducting probe into the illegal constructions at Maradu. 14 persons including flat builders and then panachayat secretary were named accused in the probe. However, though crime branch sought permission for probe against Devassy, it was not granted. Hence he was not named as accused in probe.