Not proper to summon Thomas Isaac during polls: Kerala HC tells ED

New Delhi: The Kerala high court on Tuesday told the Enforcement Directorate (ED) since elections are only less than month away, it is not ‘proper’ to summon former finance minister Thomas Isaac, a candidate, for questioning at this point.

Isaac, representing the Left Democratic Front, is contesting for the Pathanamthitta constituency.

The court order came in response to a plea submitted by Isaac challenging the ED’s summons to him for questioning in the masala bonds case.

Isaac alleged that the only intention behind ED summoning was to obstruct his election campaign , The Wire reported citing The Hindu.

Last week the court sought ED to convince the court about Isaac’s illegal conduct even in a single transaction; afterwards, the ED on Monday submitted some documents. Subsequently the court said that some of the transaction might require an explanation, according to LiveLaw.

‘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. However, I find that some transactions require explanations and the manner in which the explanations are received by the ED will be considered a later stage since the elections are due and the petitioner is also a candidate,’Justice Ravi was quoted as saying.

Further Justice Ravi added that ‘I think it is not proper to disturb a candidate who is facing an election for a representation in the Parliament at this stage, particularly because only less than a month is available for completing the elections’.

The matter has been posted for hearing on May 22 after completing polls in Kerala which will take place on April 26.

The ED’s move to question Isaac comes as the central agency is critcised for its alleged targeting of Opposition leaders.