Karuvannur scam: High Court orders Crime Branch to probe CPM leaders, sets three-month deadline

KOCHI: The High Court has directed the Crime Branch to conduct a thorough investigation, including against CPM leaders, in the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam case. The court has given three months to complete the investigation. In an interim order, Justice D.K. Singh noted that the Crime Branch had not carried out a proper investigation due to the involvement of influential individuals.

If anyone attempts to interfere with or threaten the investigation, it must be documented and reported to the court. The investigation should also extend to those who have filed complaints. The court emphasized the need for an independent and fair investigation, free from external pressure. The probe should also be based on the chargesheet and affidavit submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The ED should hand over the copies of the preliminary investigation report and affidavit to the Crime Branch. The court was hearing a petition filed by M.V. Suresh, a former bank employee, who requested a CBI investigation into the case. The court will consider the matter again in July.

Investigating officers were present in court. Just a day earlier, the court had strongly criticized the Crime Branch for failing to submit a chargesheet even after four years. The court had also orally remarked that it might have to hand over the investigation to the CBI and that the state’s arguments were unacceptable.

Statements recorded, but no further action

Although the Crime Branch had recorded statements from CPM leaders such as former district secretaries A.C. Moideen MLA and M.M. Varghese, no further action followed. However, sources indicate that both A.C. Moideen and M.M. Varghese have been named in the ED's chargesheet.

The ED had previously arrested Wadakkanchery Councillor and CPM leader Aravindakshan, money lender P. Satheesh Kumar, middleman P.P. Kiran, and former bank accountant C.K. Jills.

Thrissur Corporation Councillors Anoop Davis Cada and M.K. Kannan were also questioned. Just recently, the ED recorded the statement of former district secretary and MP K. Radhakrishnan. Since the High Court has instructed that the investigation be based on the ED’s chargesheet and affidavit, the Crime Branch will now be required to expand its probe to include all those mentioned.