Did Kerala Bizman Aneesh Babu Expose a 'Deeper Plot'?

Synopsis
Aneesh Babu, a businessman from Kerala, has made serious allegations against an ED official regarding bribery. His statement raises questions about the integrity of ongoing investigations and the involvement of law enforcement. The unfolding events could reveal deeper implications for the ED and its operations in Kerala.
Key Takeaways
- Aneesh Babu claims he faced bribery demands from an ED official.
- The ED officer has refuted these allegations.
- Babu's statement was recorded under strict surveillance.
- He has not provided evidence to support his claims.
- The case involves serious accusations of money laundering and fraud.
New Delhi, June 8 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate has documented the testimony of businessman Aneesh Babu, who has lodged a complaint against an ED official in Kerala, claiming that the officer demanded a bribe of Rs 2 crore to resolve a case.
However, the ED officer has refuted these allegations, asserting that the businessman filed the complaint to evade legal consequences.
Aneesh Babu was called to the ED’s New Delhi office on May 30 to provide his statement, but he did not comply, despite a clear directive from the High Court of Kerala mandating his attendance.
Subsequently, a new summons was issued on June 4 for his appearance on June 6. Babu attended and provided a voluntary statement, which was recorded in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines using audio and video under CCTV surveillance.
Sources within the agency revealed that during his statement, he claimed ignorance of any ED officer’s involvement in the VACB (Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau) case, stating that “he knows only Mr. Wilson.”
In his voluntary statement to the ED, he asserted that over 100 phone calls were exchanged with Wilson via encrypted channels like WhatsApp, but he failed to provide any corroborating evidence, according to sources.
He also indicated that he had no evidence implicating ED officers.
Furthermore, it seems that the Kerala vigilance was “guiding” Aneesh Babu throughout the ED summons process.
Aneesh Babu, along with his parents, Anitha Babu and Babu George, is entangled in a case involving cheating multiple individuals for Rs 24 crore and is also implicated in Trade Based Money Laundering under the PMLA. They are accused in a case related to siphoning off funds/Foreign Exchange under the guise of importing cashew nuts from Africa.
As per the sources, Babu has historically not cooperated with ED investigations and has consistently approached higher Constitutional Courts, which have dismissed his writ petitions.
“He is making allegations against the ED and its officers with a calculated intention to damage their reputation through visual and print media whenever he is summoned to cooperate with investigations. It is evident that this is a strategy to evade legal repercussions, as actions have been taken against him under the law for the money laundering offenses he committed,” the sources stated.
The Kerala High Court on May 29 instructed not to arrest businessman Aneesh Babu, who raised bribery allegations against the Assistant Director of the Enforcement Directorate's Ernakulam Office.
Further details and confirmations are awaited as the case progresses.