KOCHI: KPCC President K Sudhakaran and CPM State Committee Member A C Moitheen might not be available for questioning before the ED until the Puthupally by-elections conclude. This decision stems from the assessment that being questioned while actively campaigning in Puthupally which is in its final stages could detrimentally affect their respective campaigns.

Sudhakaran was absent on Wednesday during the interrogation related to the fake antiques fraud case involving Monson Mavungal. He had previously undergone nine hours of questioning on the 22nd. Since the questioning was incomplete at that time, a subsequent notice was issued for his appearance on Wednesday. However, the requested documents by the ED were not received in time.

A C Moitheen was scheduled to appear yesterday regarding the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank loan fraud case. Although a notice was issued to Moitheen, he applied for an extension citing the need for more time. Another notice has been issued for his appearance on the 4th.

The ED had requested Moitheen to furnish documents pertaining to bank deposits and income tax. Moitheen expressed the need for additional time, explaining that it was challenging to gather the required documents during a four-day holiday period. It is indicated that he will not be available on the fourth. The CPM holds the belief that Moitheen's summons had political motivations.

In the Karuvannur bank scam, the former bank manager Biju Karim suspected of securing benami loans, was questioned by the ED. Additionally, Kiran, Anil Seth and Suresh Babu were also subjected to questioning on both yesterday and Wednesday.