KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) objected to the application filed by the crime branch in the court seeking a copy of the documents seized by them in the Karuvannur bank fraud case. The ED has stated that the crime branch has no authority to demand the release of the documents it has seized under the law. Last day, the crime branch applied to the special court in Ernakulam for a copy of the documents. The court will hear the application on November 14.

The ED stated in its report to the court that it has completed the investigation against 55 accused and issued a preliminary charge sheet. Documents required for the trial against the accused have been provided to the court. "At this stage, the crime branch's request for documents in the case is extremely immature. This is no time for power struggles. Remember that unlucky investors are begging for their investment back.", ED told the court.

The High Court is considering the demand to hand over the case which is being investigated by the Crime Branch, to the CBI. Legally, the court cannot order the release of documents seized by one investigating agency to another agency. Crime branch started investigation in Karuvannur case on July 21, 2021. But the ED investigation started on August 10, 2022. The records were seized on August 20, 2022. "Had the crime branch investigated the case in the right direction they would have had enough time to seize the documents.", the ED further stated.