1 month ago
Kerala Vigilance Drops Probe Into CM Satheesan Over FCRA Allegations
The Kerala government’s watchdog, called the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, decided to stop looking into a case that said the state’s chief minister, V D Satheesan, might have broken a law about foreign money.
The law is called the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
The case was about money raised for a project that helped people after floods in 2018.
The watchdog found no proof that Satheesan was involved in getting or using the money.
The chief minister’s home minister, Ramesh Chennithala, said the case was started by the previous government and was political.
Because nothing was found, the case was closed.
So, the chief minister is cleared of any wrongdoing in this matter.
Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau closed its investigation into Chief Minister V D Satheesan over alleged FCRA violations linked to the 2018 Punarjani flood rehabilitation project.
The probe found no evidence that Satheesan collected foreign funds or was involved in the transfer of money to the Manappat Foundation’s FCRA account.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the case, originally registered by the previous LDF government, was dropped under section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The investigation began in 2023 while Satheesan was Leader of the Opposition; earlier, the CPI(M) had sought a CBI probe in 2024.
The VACB stated the allegations were politically motivated and that the case had no merit.
- Who
- Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau
- What
- VACB closed its investigation into alleged FCRA violations linked to the Punarjani project
- Where
- Kerala, India
- When
- July 30, 2024
- Why
- No evidence found linking Satheesan to foreign fund collection; allegations deemed baseless
Key facts
- Case status
- Closed
- Investigating agency
- Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau
- Alleged violation
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act
- Project
- Punarjani flood rehabilitation
- Key individuals
- V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala
Quotes
Ramesh Chennithala, Kerala Home Minister
Government official
“The VACB has taken the decision to close the case that the previous LDF government had registered against him. The allegation was that he had travelled to the UK and raised funds for the project (called Punarjani, which was conceived to rehabilitate flood-affected people in Satheesan’s constituency, Paravur)”
indianexpress.com
“There is no evidence against him. Hence, the case registered against Satheesan, under section 7 (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, was dropped”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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