02-06-2025
Bribery case: Vigilance seeks documents from ED officer
Kochi: The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) handed over a letter to the enforcement directorate (ED) seeking documents relating to a case investigated by an ED officer who was booked by VACB, alleging corruption.
VACB SP S Sasidharan visited the officer — ED Kochi assistant director Shekhar Kumar — and handed over the letter.
Sasidharan said that VACB sent out a letter on May 22, seeking details of the case. He said ED's response was good and that it suggested specific records be sought relating to the case. "Based on that response, we gave a letter, seeking specific records related to the investigation," he said.
Sasidharan mentioned that they were analysing data retrieved from the gadgets seized from the accused.
"There is a huge quantity of data. We covered a portion of it and there is a lot more work to do. Gadgets, including an Apple phone, need to be analysed. Only then can we find a result," he said.
Sasidharan added that a decision on whether to summon Kumar would be made after completing the data analysis. He also mentioned that more similar allegations had come up and they were probing them.
The case pertains to the incident in which VACB arrested two individuals for allegedly demanding Rs 2 crore from a Kollam-based businessman by offering to 'settle' an ED investigation. Kumar was named the first accused in the case, but he was neither questioned nor arrested. VACB also arrested a chartered accountant, Ranjit Warrier, in connection with the case.
