THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ruling UDF will soon take a decision on continuing its tie-up with its constituent Kerala Pravasi Association (KPA), in the wake of the arrest of its chairman Rajendran Vellapalath. He was arrested by a special investigation team of the state police, for his alleged involvement in an extortion racket using forged Enforcement Directorate (ED) notices.
The arrest has come as a setback for the Congress-led UDF leadership. However, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash told TNIE that Rajendran was invited to the previous UDF meeting.
“Usually it is the UDF chairman who hands over the list of front leaders to be invited. In the previous UDF meeting Rajendran’s name was missing,” said Adoor Prakash. He also clarified that Kerala Pravasi Association was included in the UDF before he took over as the front convenor.
Rajendran’s name was not included in the list of leaders to be invited during the previous UDF state committee meeting. According to Congress sources, the chief minister’s office had received some hints against the activities of Rajendran and decided not to invite him.
Rajendran’s Kerala Pravasi Association started to associate with the UDF during the 2024 Parliament election and the 2026 Keralam Assembly elections.
“He was brought into the UDF flood at the initiation of the then leader of the opposition V D Satheesan and IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty,” said a UDF leader on condition of anonymity.
Fake ED summons probe widens, more arrests likely
Meanwhile, the crime branch investigation into the racket involving fake Enforcement Directorate (ED) summonses is widening, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tracking more associates of Rajendran Vellapalath, who was arrested in connection with the case. The arrest of another close aide is likely soon, while investigators expect to gather crucial information from Rajendran during his questioning on Monday.
The probe began gathering momentum after the Indian Cooperative Credit Society in Thrissur received a forged communication purportedly issued by the ED. Investigators have found that the letter initially received by the Thrissur-based institution was sent from Delhi. The SIT is examining the possible involvement of more people associated with Rajendran, who headed the Kerala Pravasi Association. Police sources said a close associate of Rajendran, suspected to have played a role in the racket, has been identified and his arrest is likely soon.
Investigators are also examining whether similar fake summonses were sent to other institutions in different states. Sources said some financial institutions in Tamil Nadu had also received forged letters purportedly issued by the ED.
Meanwhile, sources said central agencies were also looking into the case, taking serious note of the alleged misuse of the ED’s name and official communications.
(with inputs from Kochi)
