'Kitex MD joined NDA fearing ED'; Chief Minister demands judicial probe into death of C J Roy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to the Centre demanding a judicial inquiry into the death of Confident Group owner C J Roy. The letter was addressed to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In his letter, the Chief Minister requested that a person with experience as a judge of a constitutional court be appointed as the head of the judicial commission of inquiry.

The Chief Minister also asked that the commission submit its report within a fixed time frame. He pointed out that protocols were violated during the raid and that the requirement of having two witnesses was not followed. He said that official reports claiming all legal procedures were followed are not sufficient to ensure public confidence. The family has stated that all required documents were submitted, yet Roy allegedly said he was being mentally harassed. The Chief Minister described this as a very serious matter in the letter.

Meanwhile, Hibi Eden MP has submitted a notice for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, demanding that the House suspend its proceedings to discuss the death of C J Roy. The notice also refers to the managing director of Kitex and the president of the Ernakulam-based Twenty20 party joining the NDA. There are allegations that this move was aimed at escaping ED scrutiny. The notice claims that such incidents strengthen the perception that central agencies are being used to influence political decisions.