Inappropriate to compel candidate to answer ED summons ahead of Lok Sabha polls, observes Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday said that it was inappropriate to compel former state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac to respond to Enforcement Directorate summons in connection with an alleged foreign exchange violations case until the Lok Sabha elections were on, Live Law reported.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader is contesting from the Pathanamthitta constituency in the state.

Justice TR Ravi made the observation while responding to a petition moved by Isaac challenging the summons issued against him in a Foreign Exchange Management Act case involving the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board.

The board, which is the primary agency of the Kerala government for financing large infrastructure projects, also filed a separate petition against the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate to appear before it.

On April 5, Justice Ravi directed the central agency to provide documents proving the allegations against Isaac and convince the court that he had acted illegally.

The central agency submitted the documents on Tuesday, after which the judge said that certain transactions required explanation.

“I have gone through the files placed before me and I do not think it is proper stage to disclose details since these are matters to put to the persons facing investigation,” Ravi said. “However, I find that some transactions require explanations and the manner in which...

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