Fund fraud case: ED files chargesheet against UNA chief, 7 others

Kochi: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kochi zonal office, filed a chargesheet against United Nurses Association (UNA) national president Jasminsha along with seven others in connection with alleged laundering of Rs 1.44 crore from UNA funds. ED provisionally attached properties and bank deposits worth Rs 1.44 crore in the case.The chargesheet was filed under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, before the special judge, Ernakulam. The complaint, filed on Tuesday, names Jasminsha along with his wife Shabna M A and others, including Shoby Joseph, Bibin N Paul, Nidhin Mohan, Jithu P D, Sujanapal A K and Sudheep M V.ED initiated the probe based on an FIR registered by Thrissur crime branch under various sections of IPC. According to the investigation, the accused allegedly conspired between 2017 and 2019 to misappropriate the association's funds in violation of UNA byelaws. The funds were allegedly diverted to personal accounts using forged documents and utilised for personal purposes, generating proceeds of crime worth approximately Rs 1.44 crore.ED issued a provisional attachment order, attaching immovable properties and fixed deposits on March 9. The attached assets include land parcels in Malappuram, Palakkad, Idukki and Thrissur districts, as well as bank fixed deposits held in the names of the accused.All accused have been examined under Section 50 of PMLA, and their statements recorded. ED said it would pursue prosecution and seek final confiscation of the attached assets upon conviction.