Overview

• The Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) is investigating a bribery case involving Enforcement Directorate (ED) Assistant Director Sekhar Kumar, named as the prime accused.
• Three individuals, including a chartered accountant and a middleman, have been arrested for allegedly demanding ₹2 crore to halt an ED inquiry into a businessman.
• Evidence suggests a broader ₹30 crore bribery racket linked to the ED's Kochi office, reportedly active since 2016, though direct links to the accused officer are under investigation.
• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and restore public trust in the ED, citing the agency’s damaged credibility.
• The ED has denied the allegations, claiming they are an attempt to derail legitimate money-laundering investigations and tarnish its reputation.