Kodakara Black Money Case: BJP Faces Heat As Kerala Police Orders Reinvestigation

Tirur Satheesh’s statements surfaced as BJP intensified its campaign efforts for the November 13 bypolls in the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat and Palakkad and Chelakkara Assembly constituencies.

With Tirur Satheesh's remarks, both the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress are now urging an investigation into these allegations.

Source : ANI

Former Thrissur district office secretary of the BJP, Tirur Satheesh, has recently made claims regarding the 2021 Kodakara black money case that have sparked political controversy, placing the party in a difficult position during ongoing bypoll campaigns. Both the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress are now urging an investigation into these allegations.

Satheesh’s statements surfaced as BJP intensified its campaign efforts for the November 13 bypolls in the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat and Palakkad and Chelakkara Assembly constituencies. He alleged that the unaccounted money involved in the Kodakara case was used as the party’s election fund, claiming that the funds—reportedly transported in six sacks by an individual named Dharmarajan—were stored at the party office disguised as election supplies.

With this, the Special Investigation Team, which earlier investigated the case and filed charge sheets in two phases before the Irinjalakuda First Class Magistrate Court, has reopened the case and launched a fresh investigation, as reported by Mathurubhumi.

CPI(M), Congress Demands In-Depth Probe

On Friday, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan called for a comprehensive investigation, emphasising that Satheesh’s statements suggested a larger network of unreported funds aiding BJP campaigns across Kerala. “The BJP leadership was fully aware of this,” Govindan asserted, as per a report on PTI, accusing the party of exploiting black money to influence elections.

Govindan further contended that the investigation should be led by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging that the ED has selectively targeted opposition parties while ignoring accusations against BJP."Everything occurred with the knowledge of the BJP leadership," he remarked, as per the report, stressing the need for a thorough inquiry into the funds reportedly funneled into BJP campaigns, even in the current bypolls.

Congress candidate in Palakkad, Rahul Mamkootathil, claimed that the recent revelation arises from internal divisions within the BJP and alleged that the investigation has stalled due to a BJP-CPI(M) deal. "Both Kerala and the Central government have provided significant assistance in the Kodakara case to save the accused involved in it," he said.

The 2021 Kodakara Case: A Brief Recap

The Kodakara black money case traces back to an incident on April 3, 2021, when a vehicle carrying approximately Rs 3.5 crore was robbed on its way to Ernakulam, allegedly to fund BJP’s assembly election campaign.

A gang, staging a fake accident near Kodakara, intercepted the vehicle and seised the cash.