Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has blocked the foreign travel of Dr. Fazal Ghafoor, President of the Muslim Educational Society (MES). The dramatic development unfolded at Nedumbassery Airport when Ghafoor, accompanied by his family, arrived to board a flight to Australia. The action was initiated due to his failure to appear for previous questioning by the ED.
The ED had previously issued a notice to Fazal Ghafoor, directing him to appear for interrogation. However, he did not comply, leading to the intervention at the airport. Airport authorities informed ED officials, who then arrived at the scene. Ghafoor subsequently requested an extension through his lawyer to appear before the ED’s Kochi office.
In response, Fazal Ghafoor stated that he had not been taken into custody by ED officials. He explained that while he had received a notice to appear before the officials, he had informed them he would be unable to attend due to a pre-planned foreign trip. However, officials clarified that he could not travel abroad as he was under the ED’s investigation. He confirmed that he had requested an alternate time through his lawyer and would appear at the Kochi office tomorrow.
The ED’s action reportedly stems from complaints regarding financial transactions within MES institutions. Allegations of financial fraud against Dr. Fazal Ghafoor emerged in 2020. The primary complaint involves alleged fund misappropriation related to the purchase of land in Kozhikode. It is alleged that Fazal Ghafoor, his son Dr. Raheem Fazal, and others committed irregularities concerning land acquired for constructing the MES headquarters building near the Mini Bypass in Kozhikode.
Following these corruption allegations, a significant rift developed within MES. State Secretary N.M. Mujeeb Rahman, among other leaders who demanded Fazal Ghafoor’s resignation, were expelled from the organization. Reports of ED intervention following these allegations had surfaced previously.