Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], January 5 (ANI): An old Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) report has surfaced giving a clean chit to Kerala Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan in connection with allegations linked to the Punarjani project, even as the agency has recently recommended a CBI probe into certain aspects of the matter.

The vigilance findings are part of a clarification report dated September 19, 2025, submitted by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Thiruvananthapuram, to the Additional Chief Secretary, Vigilance Department, Government of Kerala. The report was issued in response to a government communication dated August 25, 2025, seeking clarification on allegations raised against Satheesan.

According to the official report, the vigilance, based on a preliminary enquiry and examination of relevant records, found that no funds related to the Punarjani project were transferred to Satheesan's personal bank account. It further stated that the funds were managed through the voluntary organisation Manappad Foundation, and there is no evidence that Satheesan personally managed them.

The report also clarified that allegations regarding Satheesan's purchase of property after his foreign visit were not part of the original complaint and, therefore, no investigation was conducted into that matter. Crucially, the vigilance concluded that offences under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act were not made out against Satheesan.

The clarification report was submitted as part of the process initiated after the Speaker sought an explanation regarding allegations that Satheesan had travelled abroad without prior permission. A former vigilance director had earlier recommended action on the issue, prompting the Speaker to seek inputs through the Home Secretary.

The Punarjani project involves constructing houses for flood-affected families in the Paravur constituency. A fundraising video recorded during an event in Birmingham, UK, seeking financial assistance for the project surfaced earlier, prompting a vigilance complaint. The Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Special Investigation Unit-2 has been probing the matter since 2023.

While the Vigilance, in its initial enquiry, maintained that no vigilance case was sustainable against Satheesan, the then Vigilance Director, Yogesh Gupta, directed further scrutiny into possible violations of foreign exchange regulations. Subsequently, the agency recommended a CBI investigation to examine whether there was any violation of Section 3(2)(a) of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, linked to foreign funds collected by the UK-based Midland International Aid Trust and transferred to Manappad Foundation. This recommendation for a CBI probe is under the Chief Minister's consideration.

The vigilance report, signed by K. Karthik, IPS, Inspector General of Police (in-charge) and Director, VACB, reiterates that Satheesan has not committed any offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, even as the agency has recently recommended a CBI probe into the matter. (ANI)