The Enforcement Department has filed its chargesheet against Bineesh Kodiyeri in the money laundering case associated with the Bengaluru drug bust. The ED has maintained that Bineesh is the boss of Muhammed Anoop — the prime accused in the Bengaluru drug case.
According to the Directorate, Bineesh used Anoop to generate a profit from drug smuggling and used the profits into other businesses to escape the detection of investigative agencies. In their chargesheet, the ED adds that Bineesh had also organised meetings to facilitate the transfer of tenders to government projects. According to witness statements recorded in the chargesheet, Bineesh would have stood to receive 3-4% commission in the process.
In his statement to the ED, Anoop, whose finances are being probed, said that Bineesh had lent him Rs 50 lakh to start a business in Bengaluru. Bineesh, however, told the ED that he had borrowed the money from a friend to loan Anoop. The ED had arrived in Thiruvananthapuram, turning the city upside down, looking into his Benami dealings, business partners, and even raiding the ‘Kodiyeri’ house.
The family tried to attract public sympathy, also involving the Child Rights’ Commission. However, the ED was focused on the matter and they uncovered more evidence against Bineesh. The sequence of events had led the people to begin suspecting the family of protecting Bineesh, and thus it became difficult for the party to keep defending Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, believe some experts.
Moreover, with the latest information, the Narcotics Control Bureau had also set their eyes on Bineesh. The ED’s investigation pointed to the fact that Bineesh engaged in illegal transactions, had Benami dealings, and helped launder money. However, further enquiry and witness statements began to reveal that Bineesh might have had a part in the drug dealing as well.