Trivandrum , 06 ജനുവരി (H.S.)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a development that has significantly heated up the political climate in Kerala, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the 'Punarjani' housing project. The recommendation targets Leader of the Opposition (LoP) V.D. Satheesan and the Kochi-based NGO, Manappat Foundation, citing serious violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.

Core Findings of the Vigilance Report

The Vigilance department's report, submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, centers on the mobilization of foreign funds for the Punarjani project—a rehabilitation scheme launched by Satheesan in his North Paravur constituency following the devastating 2018 Kerala floods.

According to the findings, Satheesan allegedly traveled to the United Kingdom on a private visit but used the opportunity to solicit donations. The Vigilance team reportedly examined video evidence from a 2019 event in Birmingham where Satheesan was seen requesting contributions of £500 each from attendees. The report states that approximately £22,500 (around ₹20 lakh) was raised and routed to the Manappat Foundation's FCRA account through a UK-based organization, the Midland International Aid Trust (MIAT).

The agency highlighted that a sitting legislator soliciting foreign currency constitutes a violation of Section 3(2)(a) of the FCRA. Furthermore, the report notes that the Manappat Foundation failed to maintain proper records of ₹1.22 crore in foreign funds received between 2018 and 2022, violating Rule 19 of the FCRA regulations.

The Clean Chit Controversy

Adding a layer of complexity to the case, an older Vigilance report from September 2025 recently surfaced, which appeared to give Satheesan a clean chit. That report stated that no funds were transferred to Satheesan’s personal accounts and that the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) charges were not sustainable. However, the current recommendation focuses specifically on the FCRA violations, arguing that the CBI is the competent authority to investigate foreign exchange and contribution irregularities, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Political Reactions

With the Kerala Assembly elections approaching, the UDF (United Democratic Front) has branded the move a political stunt. Congress leaders, including K.C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, have accused the LDF government of using investigative agencies to target the opposition and divert attention from other controversies, such as the Sabarimala gold theft allegations.

V.D. Satheesan has welcomed the probe, stating he is confident of his innocence and ready to face any investigation, including one by the CBI. He maintains that all transactions were transparent and audited. Meanwhile, the CPI(M) has signaled its intent to politically weaponize the findings, stressing that the legal violations by a public servant cannot be taken lightly.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Roshith K