Karuvannur scam: HC declines to order CBI probe

Stating that the investigating officer ought to take steps to ensure that the real culprits are brought to book, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday declined to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the ₹100-crore Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam in Thrissur.

The Bench of Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan disposed of a petition filed by M.V. Suresh, a former employee of the bank, who sought a CBI probe in the case. Mr. Suresh approached the court seeking a CBI probe, citing the alleged involvement of people affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The case is under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The court had earlier criticised the Crime Branch investigating officer for failing to complete the investigation, noting that the case was initially registered at the Irinjalakuda police station on July 14, 2021. The court had also directed the officer to probe the involvement of all accused, including politicians named by the ED in its information report.

On Wednesday, the investigating officer submitted that in addition to the main case, 21 other cases had been registered in connection with the scam. Chargesheets had been filed in 10 of these cases, and the investigation in the remaining cases was in the final stage.

Observing that the petition had been pending since 2021 and could not be retained indefinitely, the Bench disposed of the petition granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the trial court, if needed.