Kozhikode : Muslim League State Secretary, K. M. Shaji, appeared for Vigilance questioning over the black money unearthed in Vigilance raids at his residences. Shaji showed up at Vigilance and Anti-corruption Office early morning Friday . Vigilance had stumbled up on black money to the tune of half-crore rupees apart from jewelry and foreign currencies on 12 April from Shaji’s two houses in Kannur and Kozhikode.
In his response to media post the raid, Shaji said he could produce records substantiating the money in question any time the authorities asked for. However, Shaji failed to come up with such records despite 4 days past the raids. And, while he initially claimed the sleuths would be compelled to return all the money they took , the MLA is largely quiet on the topic now.
The Vigilance cache comprised 491 gm from Shaji’s house in Kannur and 60 gm from his Kozhikode home. Also found concealed were foreign currencies and 77 documents pertaining to various transactions.
Of the 491 gm gold seized from Kozhikode, 331 gm were found to be ill-gotten and Shaji has been so far been unable to produce valid in the regard. Meanwhile, the charge for investigations has been handed over to Vigilance DySP Johnson. Among other things, probe officials are chiefly looking to find what is the source to Rs 1.47 crore wealth Shaji amassed and why did the MLA undertake 28 visits abroad ? Vigilance has prepared a detailed questionnaire hoping to hit the answers.
Raid Report in Court
Vigilance submitted in Special Court its primary report on the raids carried out at MLA’s residences. The report comprising 77 records lists various transaction documents apart from 47,35,500 rupees and 60 gm gold seized from Kannur house and 491 gm gold jewelry and 30,000 in cash found at his home in Kozhikode. The report also gives cost approximates of the palatial houses and properties in the name of MLA’s wife Asha and exotic furniture and home appliances found during the raid. Vigilance has also submitted to court the details on the couple’s bank accounts, investments, deposits and business partnerships, hoping to obtain custody of them both for investigations into the unexplained wealth.
