Kochi | Opposition CPI(M) on Friday said that the party would legally challenge the vigilance clean chit given to Chief Minister V D Satheesan in the probe into the foreign fund collection for the Punarjani housing project.
Addressing a press conference here, CPI(M) Ernakulam district secretary S Satheesh said the party would pursue legal options to pursue against the vigilance report while continuing its campaign to expose alleged irregularities in the Punarjani housing project launched after the 2018 Kerala floods in Satheesan's North Paravur constituency.
Maintaining that the allegations surrounding the Punarjani project had not been answered, Satheesh said the party would not allow the issue to be brushed aside and would challenge the vigilance clean chit in the court.
"There are serious allegations in the Punarjani case. They cannot be buried by issuing a clean chit. We will take all necessary legal steps and continue to place the facts before the people," he said.
He alleged that the Vigilance decision could not be accepted as the allegations involved possible violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), which required an investigation by a central agency.
"A case where funds are alleged to have been collected abroad without obtaining the permission of the Central government cannot be confined to a Vigilance inquiry. A probe by a central agency is imperative to determine whether any offence has been committed," Satheesh said.
He alleged that evidence had already surfaced showing Satheesan participating in fundraising events abroad, including a video purportedly showing him addressing a gathering in Birmingham.
According to Satheesh, the earlier vigilance inquiry had reached a stage where a probe by the CBI or another central agency was being considered.
However, after the new government assumed office, the report was allegedly set aside and a clean chit granted within 70 days.
"The manner in which the government has handled the case clearly indicates an abuse of power. A government headed by the person against whom allegations have been raised cannot use its own machinery to grant him a clean chit," he alleged.
Satheesh also sought details of the foreign funds allegedly collected for the Punarjani project, asking how much money had been raised overseas, whether the entire amount had reached Kerala and how it had been utilised.
He further sought clarity on the alleged role of the Manappuram Foundation, questioning its connection with the Punarjani project and alleging that information was emerging about funds collected abroad reaching Kerala through the foundation.
Questioning the claims made by Congress leaders regarding the implementation of the project, Satheesh demanded that the Chief Minister disclose the details of the 219 houses which, according to the Congress, were constructed under the Punarjani scheme.
"If 219 houses were constructed, let the addresses of those houses be made public. The people of Paravur have the right to know where these houses are," he said.
Satheesh alleged that, according to information available with the CPI(M), only 19 houses had actually been constructed and that too with the support of various other agencies.