Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 5 (NationPress) Following the actions of Kerala's Leader of the Opposition (LoP) V.D. Satheesan, the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has on Monday suggested a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry regarding alleged financial misconduct associated with the Punarjani housing initiative. This initiative involves the NGO Manappatt Foundation and its chief executive officer (CEO).

The Punarjani project, led by LoP Satheesan during his term as an MLA, was designed to provide housing for those displaced by the catastrophic floods in 2018.

Concerns emerged that the NGO's CEO, Ameer Ahmed, allegedly collaborated with Satheesan to secure funds from international sources between 2018 and 2022 for flood recovery, seemingly breaching regulations.

The VACB has called for a CBI investigation against the Kerala LoP following a preliminary assessment of the supposed misappropriation of foreign contributions collected for post-flood rehabilitation.

This situation adds to the Congress party's challenges as state Assembly elections approach in a few months. Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham has submitted a report to the state government requesting a federal investigation under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), citing the global scope of the fundraising, as reported by local media sources referencing the Home Department.

“The investigation indicated that significant funds were obtained from expatriates in Middle Eastern nations without the necessary approvals under the FCRA,” stated a senior official.

The findings from the VACB allege that the Manappatt Foundation received Rs 1.22 crore from the UK during the 2018–22 timeframe.

Furthermore, investigators noted the NGO and its CEO were pivotal in managing the funds, with a considerable amount of the collected total remaining unaccounted for in official documents.

The recommendation follows a complaint alleging that the initiative circumvented official state protocols and contravened Central government regulations governing overseas donations.

The VACB has asserted that only a national agency can accurately trace the flow of funds across international boundaries.

In response to the allegations, Manappatt Foundation CEO Ameer Ahmed stated that he and his NGO are prepared to undergo any investigation related to the Punarjani project and its financing.

Kerala experienced historic flooding in 2018, resulting in nearly 500 fatalities and the destruction of countless homes throughout the state.

Meanwhile, the Congress in Kerala has dismissed the call for a CBI investigation as a political tactic, asserting it is an attempt to distract from the Sabarimala temple gold theft incident.

This development is expected to incite a political confrontation, given the project's close ties to the current Leader of the Opposition Satheesan.

The Assembly elections in Kerala are anticipated to take place in April or May this year.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) aims to regain power after losses in the 2016 and 2021 Assembly elections, while the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) seeks a historic third consecutive term, an unprecedented achievement in the state's political landscape.