Thiruvananthapuram, July 30: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has officially closed an eight-year-old investigation against Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. This case was linked to allegations of fundraising in the UK for rebuilding homes after the devastating floods in Kerala in 2018.
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced the decision on Thursday, stating that the investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by the Chief Minister. Following the submission of the VACB Director’s final report, the case has been formally closed.
Chennithala told reporters, “There is no aspect of vigilance in this case, and it has been closed. It is now clear that this matter was driven by political vendetta.”
He personally reviewed the files and found no connection between Satheesan and any illegal activities. The Home Minister noted that two separate investigations conducted during the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government also failed to produce any incriminating evidence, confirming the VACB’s final report.
The allegations were tied to Satheesan’s efforts to gather financial support from the Malayali community in the UK to build homes for families affected by the 2018 floods.
The complaint claimed that approximately ₹2 million was raised through the Manappattu Foundation, with funds sent to the foundation’s FCRA account via the UK-based Midland International Aid Trust.
The vigilance complaint alleged that a transfer of £22,500 (approximately ₹1.995 million) violated Section 3 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), which prohibits politicians from receiving foreign donations.
After several years of investigations, authorities found no evidence of criminal activity or any offenses related to vigilance against Satheesan, paving the way for the case’s closure.
The controversy began when former CPI(M) MLA James Matthew raised the issue, prompting the then-leftist government to initiate vigilance action.
Throughout the lengthy investigation, Satheesan consistently maintained in the assembly and publicly that his actions were aimed at providing humanitarian assistance to flood victims and that he had committed no wrongdoing.
With the VACB’s investigation now complete, the case has effectively concluded, lifting a shadow that has loomed over Satheesan’s public life for nearly eight years. This outcome allows the Chief Minister to assert his innocence in one of the longest-running political controversies related to the post-flood rehabilitation efforts.
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