Kochi: CPM panel to look into Zakir finances

Kochi: The CPM Ernakulam district committee has appo-inted a two-member commission to probe the complaint of illegal wealth ac-cumulation and other fin-ancial irregularities again-st Zakir Hussein CPM Kalamasserry area secretary. Although CPM district leadership remained tightlipped about the matter, those familiar with the development said senior party leaders Dinesh Mani and P.R. Murali have been deputed as members of the commission.

This is the second time in three years that Mr. Hussein has been brought under the lens of party probe. In October 2016 he came under a cloud following a businessperson alleging that Hussein engineered his kidnapping for extortion. He was arrested in the case and removed from the post. The party appointed a one-man probe panel by Elamaram Karim in the matter and the panel gave clean chit to him.  Following this he was reinstated as Kalamasserry area secretary in 2017.      

The present complaint has been filed by a party leader from Kalamsserry alleging that he had ama-ssed a personal fortune that included the purchase of a villa. It has been stated that he was having four houses in the region.

Mr. Hussein feigned ignorance about the commission and said his assets included on those inherited from family and those bought from the income of his wife.