Kochi: : VD Satheesan accepting charities overseas in possible violation of rules is a matter related public interest domain, the High Court ruled on Tuesday. Judge VG Arun instructed the petitioner to present his plea seeking CBI inquiry in form of Public Interest Litigation.
Jaison Panikulangara, an Ernakulam native, in his petition sought CBI inquiry to find out if there was centre’s prior consent for the money MLA VD Satheesan’s team raised on their foreign tour via the outfit named “Punarjani” formed for political purposes.
Funds were raised from delegates who attended a meeting held in Birmingham, England. The petition also sought to ascertain if there was violation to Foreign Contribution Regulation Act(FCRA) or money laundering involved. As per FCRA, a member of Legislative Assembly is prohibited from raising funds abroad, the petition said, further pointing out that, .under the circumstances the MLA fundraising activity appears to be of suspicious nature. VD Satheesan’s tour of Birmingham took place in 2018 when the state was struck with floods.
