13-hour raid at CSI headquarters comes to an end, was able to convince ED that the complaint was fabricated, says Church; clash between two sides

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at the headquarters of the Church of South India (CSI) diocese and its many offices in connection with money-laundering allegations have come to an end. The raids, which were simultaneously held at the bishop's house, the Church Secretary's house, Karakonam medical college and the college director's house, lasted for 13 hours.

The church officials said that Bishop Dharmaraj Rasalam will travel to the UK to attend a church conference after the questioning. Pastoral Body Secretary Fr Jayaraj told the media that the ED did not issue a notice to the bishop asking him to appear for questioning, nor did they ask for any other documents. He also said that the church was able to convince the enforcement team that the complaint was fabricated.

The raids were done following allegations of corruption at the Church-run medical college at Karakonam. According to the allegations, huge amounts of money were taken on the pretext of offering admission to medical college. Although Bishop Dharmaraj Rasalam was at the church headquarters when the ED team arrived, church secretary Praveen and his family left Thiruvananthapuram last night. It is suspected that he may have gone to Chennai or abroad.