The Enforcement Directorate (ED) dismissed bribery allegations made by Aneesh Babu, a suspect in a money laundering case, suggesting that these claims are an attempt to derail the ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) recently registered a First Information Report (FIR) against ED Assistant Director Shekhar Kumar and three others: Wilson Varghese from Kochi, Mukesh Kumar from Rajasthan, and Kochi-based chartered accountant Renjith Warrier. The FIR alleges that Wilson approached Babu, demanding money in return for settling the PMLA case against him. Wilson was arrested while accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh on behalf of Shekhar Kumar, as part of a trap set by Vigilance officials based on Babu’s complaint. Subsequently, Mukesh Kumar and Renjith Warrier were taken into custody following the investigation.
ED sources have indicated that the agency has sought details from the VACB and will examine the matter thoroughly to determine whether any prima facie case exists. They assert that the bribery allegations are a strategic move by Babu to disrupt the ongoing money laundering probe against him.
The money laundering case against Babu is based on findings from the Income Tax Department, which uncovered significant financial irregularities. The ED maintains that the investigation will continue unaffected by the recent allegations.
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