A special NIA court in Chennai has given its approval to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to question Mary Francisca Letchumanan, a Sri Lankan-origin woman, inside prison in connection with a money laundering investigation that has links to the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The decision is considered significant as it could help uncover the financial networks and channels that may have been used to fund LTTE-related activities, thereby strengthening the ongoing probe.
Mary Francisca, who is currently lodged in Puzhal Women’s Prison, has already been under the scanner of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for her suspected ties to the LTTE. The money laundering inquiry pursued by the ED stems from an NIA case that was registered in 2022, and it focuses specifically on the financial dimensions of her alleged operations. Authorities allege that Francisca managed to obtain fake Indian identity documents and used them to access and withdraw money from a Mumbai-based bank account. Investigators suspect that the withdrawn funds were diverted towards LTTE activities, raising serious concerns about cross-border financial conduits aiding a proscribed terror organisation.
The Enforcement Directorate, while presenting its arguments before the court, maintained that Francisca’s interrogation was crucial to track down not only the flow of illicit money but also the individuals and networks facilitating such transfers. Accepting the ED’s reasoning, the court granted permission for the agency to interrogate her within the confines of the prison for two days. The court also allowed the agency to use essential equipment such as laptops, printers, and other electronic devices during the questioning process to ensure a smooth and efficient investigation.
However, the court refrained from handing over Francisca’s physical custody to the ED, making it clear that the questioning must take place entirely within the prison premises under judicial oversight. This balance ensures that investigative needs are met while safeguarding the legal rights of the accused. The development is expected to shed more light on the financial operations supporting the LTTE and help authorities trace the wider network of collaborators involved in laundering funds for the organisation.
