ED attaches properties worth ₹1.44 crore in misappropriation of UNA funds case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Cochin Zonal Office, has provisionally attached properties worth ₹1.44 crore in connection with the money laundering case linked to the misappropriation of United Nurses Association (UNA) funds.

The order was issued under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, following a first information report registered by the Crime Branch Police Station, Thrissur, against Jasmine Shah, former national/international president of UNA, his wife Shabna M.A., and other office-bearers, including Shoby Joseph, Nidhin Mohan, Jiju Janapal A.K., Bibin N. Paul, and Sudheep M.V. The charges invoked sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and destruction of evidence. Since then, the police have filed a chargesheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Thrissur.

According to the ED, Mr. Shah, while serving as UNA’s national president, colluded with his wife and associates to misappropriate membership levies and organisational funds between 2017 and 2019. The funds were allegedly diverted through cash withdrawals, inter-account transfers, and routing into personal accounts, in violation of UNA by-laws. Investigators said the proceeds were layered and consumed for personal benefits, including EMI payments for vehicles and an apartment, as well as other personal expenses. Fabricated committee minutes were reportedly used to project these as legitimate expenditures.

The probe identified proceeds of crime amounting to approximately ₹1.44 crore. Since much of the money was withdrawn in cash, concealed, or consumed, the ED has attached equivalent-value assets. These include five immovable properties and four fixed deposits/movable assets in the names of Mr. Shah, Ms. Shabna, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Joseph. The attached assets comprise land parcels and a flat in Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Idukki, along with fixed deposits, said ED sources.