Raising fund during foreign trip; V D Satheesan misused private travel permission, says vigilance report

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A vigilance report has found that opposition leader V D Satheesan misused the travel permission issued by the Centre for a private foreign trip. The vigilance found that he collected funds during his visit to the UK. The vigilance report said that he obtained an NOC from the Assembly Secretary on the grounds that it was for personal purposes and sought central permission to travel to the UK.

The chief minister's office released more documents against the opposition leader in the Punarjani controversy. The information in first of the two vigilance reports in this regard has now come to light. The union home ministry had granted Satheesan permission to travel to the UK to visit historical places. The political clearance clarifies this. The vigilance said Satheesan misused this travel permission to go to the UK and collect funds.

The vigilance has found that Satheesan had participated in a fund-raising event organized by the Manappad Foundation in the UK and asked for a donation of 500 pounds from each person. The vigilance examined videos received from social media for it. The vigilance has clarified that Satheesan's actions are a clear violation of Section 3(2) (a) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The vigilance report said that Satheesan misused his position as an MLA and colluded with Manappad Foundation Chairman Ameer Ahmed to raise foreign funds.

The investigation report submitted by the vigilance three months ago over Punarjani project stated that there is no evidence against Satheesan. The contents of the report submitted by the vigilance eight months ago seeking a CBI investigation have been revealed.