Anto Antony faces heat; SIT to question MP, ED likely to investigate

PATHANAMTHITTA: After visuals emerged showing Unnikrishnan Potty, the main accused in the gold theft case, visiting Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, a separate Rs 2 crore financial transaction linked to a finance firm has also brought MP Anto Antony under the scanner. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is expected to question Anto Antony soon. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) may also examine the financial dealings.

There were allegations that it was Anto Antony who arranged Unnikrishnan Potty's meeting with Sonia Gandhi. The SIT decided to summon him after questioning UDF convener Adoor Prakash.

N.M. Raju, owner of a financial firm named Nedumparambil Credit Syndicate based in Thiruvalla, claimed that Anto Antony had borrowed Rs 2 crore from the institution during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and repaid only Rs 20 lakh. CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan has demanded an investigation into whether the money received by Antony was unaccounted cash.

The CPM has also demanded that Anto Antony’s land dealings in Bengaluru be brought under investigation. While Anto Antony has admitted to receiving money from Raju, he has not clarified the exact amount borrowed or how much has been repaid.

Earlier, CPM and BJP workers had marched to the MP’s office demanding a probe into his alleged role in the gold theft case. The new Rs 2 crore allegation has added to the political pressure. However, Anto Antony has not responded to the allegations.

Complaint to Vigilance
Supreme Court advocate Subhash Theekkadan has filed a complaint with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau seeking an investigation into the financial transactions between Anto Antony and N.M. Raju. Both Raju and Antony have acknowledged that money was given and received.