Caught in corruption; Malayali ED Deputy Director removed

NEW DELHI: The Central government has removed Enforcement Directorate (ED) Deputy Director P Radhakrishnan, a native of Kerala, by ordering his compulsory retirement. He was an officer who investigated several high-profile cases, including the diplomatic gold smuggling case that caused major political controversy. The action was taken following complaints that, while serving as Deputy Director in Kochi, he demanded bribes through middlemen to settle cases.

Radhakrishnan was also part of the team that investigated the Karuvannur bank fraud case. He still had about five years of service left. An inquiry by the Union Finance Ministry found substance in the allegations. The President approved the decision to compulsorily retire him last Friday. The order specifically mentions bribery, leakage of sensitive information, and failure in official duties. Since he was compulsorily retired and not dismissed from service, he will be eligible for pension benefits.

During the investigation into the diplomatic gold smuggling case, the BJP had alleged that ED officials were colluding with the government to derail the probe. There were also accusations that details of raids were leaked through middlemen, which helped destroy evidence. Prime accused Swapna Suresh had claimed that Rs 30 crore was demanded to settle the case.

Cashew businessman’s complaint triggered probe
1. The internal inquiry began after a complaint by Kollam-based cashew businessman Aneesh Babu, who alleged that ED officials in Kochi demanded Rs 2 crore through middlemen to settle a case. The complaint named Assistant Director Shekhar Kumar and P Radhakrishnan. Following this, both officers were transferred to Srinagar. Later, the complainant dropped Radhakrishnan’s name, and he was not made an accused in the state vigilance case.

2. After the ED filed the charge sheet in the diplomatic gold smuggling case, Radhakrishnan was promoted and transferred to Chennai. He challenged the transfer before the Central Administrative Tribunal, arguing that investigations in other cases, including the Karuvannur bank fraud, were still pending. The tribunal ruled against him. He then joined in Chennai but returned within a few months. Soon after that, the cashew businessman’s complaint surfaced.