Investigating the dollar case in Kerala, the Customs has submitted in a sealed cover with the Court that a prominent leader has been involved in the case. The agency has presented the argument following the statements of the prime accused in the case — PS Sarith and Swapna Suresh.
Sarith has revealed to the Customs that a major leader was involved in the case and Swapna concurred with his confession and added that she had close contact with the person. Based on this, the Enforcement Directorate has decided to start a probe on the origin of the money that was converted to dollars and on the people involved. The agency will be probing the accused big wig’s international travels, and question his personal staff as well. The ED has sought legal advice for the follow-ups.
Sarith had reported the details about the money as transferred by the leader, and provided more information about the dollar transactions. Meanwhile, Swapna revealed the support she had given to the dealings involving the leader. Swapna revealed that the big wig had plans to start a franchise of a repute international university in Sharjah, and he needed the dollars for this specific purpose. She also added that a Malayali who had an educational consultancy in Bengaluru used his connections to help the leader. The revelations from both the accused had apparently astonished the Customs and the Court. The leader had received VVIP treatment at airports such that nobody checked his baggage.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said that the information that astonished the Court could shock the people. “Pinarayi Vijayan, who is in charge of the Home Ministry and the Vigilance, should reveal who the top leader associated with the case is. What was in the sealed cover that astonished the Court?” He urged the Chief Minister to explain if the news about the involvement of the “top leader” in the case is true and to reveal the name.
There are speculations abound about the identity of the mystery man. Some believe him to be a minister in the Pinarayi-led cabinet, while others believe and subtly (or lack thereof) imply that he could be someone with Constitutional powers but not a member of the cabinet, leaving very little guessing space.
