Kochi 11 August : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday informed the Kerala High Court that two-time state’s former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac does need not to appear before the court until Wednesday (August 17). The ED stated that this was after Isaac had approached the court for intervention in the notice the ED had sent twice, requesting for his appearance before the court with many documents, including personal ones in relation with the investigation into the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) fraud.
Isaac was scheduled to be present before the board on Thursday morning at their office in the city.
This is why Justice V.G.Arun made a statement that Isaac has a right to privacy, and that right is not a right that can be curtailed unless you follow the appropriate procedures set out by law.
“He has an right to privacy that cannot be violated without following the procedures established by law.Do you have the right to request all these documents in the first instance , like you did here,” the judge asked.
The ED counsel sought time to receive instructions, and the case was placed on hold for further consideration on the 17th of August.
Senior Counsel Siddhartha Dave, who represented Isaac She stated that the ED was acting as that Isaac has committed a crime even though the probe is focused on KIIFB.
The day before, Isaac told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that he will not appear before the ED in connection with the KIIFB scam in the office in Kochi and claimed that the ED was a tool used by politicians to take on political adversaries.
He claimed that because he is not informed of the mistake he did, he will not appear before the ED in the matter and instead is seeking an avenue of recourse.
It was the second warning sent by the ED to Isaac.
In an interview with the media, Isaac said he has filed a petition with the Kerala High Court and hence won’t be appearing.
“ED has become a tool used by the BJP to attack political opponents.The apex court clearly declared that ED is to deal with cases under the Public Money Laundering Act and not under FEMA.It’s the RBI that deals with FEMA and also the issues of the KIIFB and all mandatory filings have been sent to the RBI,” said Isaac.
“My offense was not disclosed to me by the ED.If they’re not providing me with information of this then they should reissue their warning to me.So I’ve approached the court.ED has more power than CBI.They are using this to override the power of the state government and try to create a smokescreen in order to convince people that something huge has occurred in KIIFB,” added Isaac.
He slammed the Congress here, Isaac said KIIFB was not active during the time of the Oommen Chandy government ( 2011-16).
“Five years have been lost and this has resulted in a significant slack in the growth of Kerala since they did nothing, and now they have joined forces with the ED.The CPI-M has now made a decision to take on dealing with ED in a legal and political manner.We will be supported by the people of this region in our battle against ED and, if it happens, nothing can be accomplished,” said Isaac.
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