Syro-Malabar land deal comes under ED scanner

Newspaper report said Enforcement Directorate is already collecting evidence.

File photo.

Kochi:  The land deal in the Syro-Malabar Church, which had kicked up a row over alleged underhand dealings, has now attracted the attention of the Enforcement Directorate, a newspaper report claimed.

Indian Express daily said officials of Enforcement Directorate have sought details of the case from the committee appointed by the Vatican to study the controversy.

The directorate can suo motu take cognisance and proceed against the wrongdoers if indeed financial irregularities has occurred, the report said.

The findings of the Vatican appointed panel will be submitted to the Apostolic Administrator, who will provide the required details and evidence to ED.

A committee to probe the financial irregularities in the Church was appointed by the Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Jacob Manathodath, at the direction of the Vatican.

“The committee’s findings along with the KPMG report will be submitted to him. The committee’s report sought by the ED will be provided by the Apostolic Administrator. We are only answerable to the Vatican and after compiling the report it will be sent to Rome,” said Joseph Inchody, the panel’s convener.

The ED is already collecting evidence of the land scam. Since a formal complaint has not been lodged, the ED did not register a case, the report said.

Source: new Indian express