Construction of resort by encroaching govt land: ED launches probe against Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an investigation against Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA over the allegation of encroaching government land for the construction of a resort in Chinnakanal. The ED will issue a notice asking the MLA to appear for questioning. Earlier, the Revenue Department had registered a case against Mathew Kuzhalnadan and his friends under the Kerala Land Conservancy Act for illegally occupying government land.

The ED's probe comes in addition to the Vigilance Department's ongoing probe into the matter. The ED will mainly investigate whether black money was used in the transaction related to the purchase of land. The agency has collected documents related to the case from the Vigilance. The case alleges that the resort was built by encroaching on 50 cents of government land.

In the first phase, the ED questioned Jaymon Joseph, the eighth accused in the Vigilance case, and Jennifer, the tenth accused. Former Udumbanchola Tehsildar PK Shaji is the first accused in the Vigilance case. Mathew Kuzhalnadan is the 16th accused in the case. The encroached land, measuring 50 cents, is adjacent to survey number 34/1 in Chinnakanal village.

Meanwhile, Mathew Kuzhalnadan has welcomed the ED investigation. He said that he is prepared to face any inquiry and that he has an obligation to explain the allegations to the people.