Bribery: Vigilance receives more complaints against ED

KOCHI: It is indicated that the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has received more complaints from industrialists regarding ED officials demanding huge amounts as bribes. Statements from some of these complainants have already been recorded. The new complaints reportedly came in via mobile communications.

Meanwhile, the investigation in the bribery case registered on the complaint lodged by cashew industry businessman Aneesh Babu is progressing by focusing on the phone calls of the accused, including the Assistant Director of the ED.

Key information linking ED officials with middlemen is believed to have been recovered from the mobile phones of the arrested accused. The Vigilance currently has in custody Wilson from Thamannam, Mukesh Kumar from Rajasthan, and Ranjith Warrior, a chartered accountant from Ernakulam. With help from the cyber police, investigators are examining bank transactions and voice messages related to the case. Significant sums were allegedly transferred through certain bank accounts, and Vigilance has issued notices to the respective banks to gather further details.

'It’s your need to drop the case'
An audio message between Wilson, a middleman accused in the bribery case, and the complainant has surfaced. In the message, Wilson says, “It’s not my need to drop the case, it’s yours,” and requests that the conversation not be recorded. He also questions why the complainant left during the ED's questioning.

ED’s allegation is baseless, says Aneesh
The main complainant in the case, Aneesh Babu, stated that he fears retaliatory action from the ED. He asserted that the allegations made by the ED against him are baseless. He left the interrogation because he was mentally harassed by officials. Aneesh affirmed he will continue cooperating with the investigation and will not withdraw his complaint.