New Delhi, 07 October (H.S.): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at around 20 locations in Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kozhikode in connection with three separate cases of alleged fraud involving cooperative societies in Keralam. The cases allegedly involve proceeds of crime worth around Rs 92 crore. In a separate action, the ED arrested suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar and commission member B.V. Geetha in a money-laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in recruitment.

According to the ED, in the case involving an urban cooperative society, its office-bearers are accused of causing financial losses to members by issuing fraudulent loans. The agency has identified proceeds of crime worth around Rs 55 crore in the case. Searches are being conducted at around five to six locations in Ernakulam and adjoining areas. In the second case, involving Thennela Service Cooperative Society, the accused allegedly issued fraudulent loans after promising higher interest returns. The case involves proceeds of crime of around Rs 10 crore, with searches being carried out at seven to eight locations in Kozhikode and surrounding areas. In the third case, office-bearers of Kuttanellur Cooperative Bank are accused of transferring mortgaged properties without the consent of their owners and depositors. The case involves alleged proceeds of crime amounting to around Rs 27 crore, and searches are underway at five to six locations in Thrissur and adjoining areas.

Meanwhile, in Karnataka, the ED arrested suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar and commission member B.V. Geetha. The action was taken as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities and financial transactions related to the recruitment of veterinary officers through the commission. The ED arrested the two after conducting fresh searches at Sahukar’s residence in Bengaluru. The agency had earlier questioned former KPSC Controller of Examinations Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar and alleged middleman Basavaraj Kannale in connection with the case. Recent ED investigations have focused on alleged leakage of the veterinary officers’ recruitment examination paper and the movement of illicit funds linked to the recruitment process.

The ED investigation is examining alleged bribery, examination irregularities and illegal financial transactions in the recruitment process. The agency said the arrests of Sahukar and Geetha form part of the money-laundering investigation. Further investigation into the case is underway.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar