New Delhi, The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has opted to shut down a money laundering case against two Dalit farmers, S Kannaiyan and S Krishnan, hailing from Tamil Nadu. The decision comes amidst widespread controversy surrounding the summoning of the 72-year-old cultivator and his 67-year-old brother. The summons, issued six months ago, resurfaced on social media, sparking outrage over the inclusion of their caste names – Hindu Pallars.
Sources reveal that the ED is closing the case due to the conclusion of the predicate offense that initiated the investigation. The agency asserts that there were no intentions to harass the farmers and that the summons were part of regular procedures in Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases.
A senior ED officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “The matter has been blown out of proportion as the summons are almost six months old.” The case originated in March 2022 when the Tamil Nadu forest department forwarded a letter related to the killing of two wild buffaloes, leading to a PMLA case registration.
While ED officials defend the caste mention as a clerical error, activists and political parties in Tamil Nadu strongly objected, prompting the ED’s decision to close the case. The ED officers deny any political motivations, emphasizing that the closure stems from the recent acquittal of the farmers in the wildlife case.
However, a third ED officer acknowledged that the case was “very petty” and suggested it ideally shouldn’t have been filed. Meanwhile, the farmers’ lawyer, G Pravina, expressed the desire for the Tamil Nadu police to take action against ED officials, alleging pressure tactics in light of an ongoing land dispute involving a local BJP leader.
Efforts to reach BJP Tamil Nadu office bearers for comment were unsuccessful.
