Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief arrested
Kochi, Kerala (VSK). K. Sudhakaran, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President, was arrested on June 23. He was arrested after 7-hour long interrogation at the Crime Branch office, Kochi. It is in connection with the alleged nexus Sudhakaran had with the controversial fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. It is reported that Crime Branch of Police interrogated KPCC chief on the basis of the secret statement, of eye witnesses before the police, that Sudhakaran accepted Rs 10 lakhs from Monson and Sudhakaran’s alleged middleman’s role when Thrissur native Anoop handed over Rs 25 lakhs to Monson. Crime Branch is reported to have shown to Sudhakaran the list of the calls between Sudhakaran and Monson Mavunkal during 2018-2019 before and after he was elected to Lok Sabha. He is charged, in connection with the Rs 10 cr fraud, for cheating, forging the documents for cheating and using the forged document as if it is genuine. Sudhakaran was released on bail, sans much delay, against a bond of s 50,000 and surety of two men.
Monson Mavunkal was alleged to have indulged in the business of fake antique goods. The list of the ‘antique’ goods he collected and sold were laughing stocks for the people for several months together after legal action hounded him. Until then, the ordinary Keralites were not aware of such an incredible drama going on their next door. Staff (sceptre) of Moses, Mother Teresa’s hair, 30 silver coins for which Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, 2000 years old jug used by Jesus, kerosene oil lamp used by Prophet Mohammed, suspending pots from which infant Krishna ‘stole’ butter, throne of Tipu Sultan, old Qurans, Bibles (Old and New Testaments), old hand-written copies of Bhagavad Gita, etc. etc. Monson played host to several VIPs at his spacious, luxurious house in Kochi. It was like a museum for his precious antiques.
When the case came to light, pictures of VIPs like the then State Police Chief Loknath Behra IPS (presently MD of Kochi Metro) and top police brass visiting the ‘antique palace’ turned viral in social media. One picture showed Behra sitting on the ‘throne of Tipu.’
In September 2021, Mavunkal hit the headlines after a person, who was allegedly cheated by him to the tune of Rs 10 crore, complained to the CM Pinarayi Vijayan. It ultimately led to the fraud’s arrest. When the issue came before the court, it wondered how top police officials forgot to think that the museum could only function as per the clear rules. It asked why the police set up a daily beat box at his house and the museum. Court thought that it was not a joke at all.
There were reports those days that police had to suffer the displeasure of the Court in view of the pictures of Mavunkal and one Anita Pullayil in the presence of top police officials. The Court wondered who this Anita, a Keralite based in Italy, and her role were. Anita had created a controversy by entering the venue, allegedly uninvited, of the Lok Kerala Sabha conclave, in June 2022, in Thiruvananthapuram. The conclave was hosted by CPM-led Left Democratic Front government of CM Pinarayi Vijayan under the Department of Non- Resident Keralite’s Affairs (NORKA).
There were reports that a letter was issued on behalf of Loknath Behera in June 2019 to ADGP (Intelligence) and district police chief, Kochi city, to do the needful for ensuring protection to Monson’s house and its premises through periodic monitoring.
In November, 2021, Kerala government suspended Inspector-General of Police (IG) Lakshmana for his alleged links with fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. Government sources, were reported to have stated that it was on the basis of an enquiry report conducted by the Crime Branch.
After his arrest in the cheating case, Monson Mavunkal is currently serving a jail term. And, on June 17, Monson was sentenced to life imprisonment after the POCSO Court, Kochi, found him guilty of sexually abusing a minor girl. The case came before the Court when Monson’s former domestic servant complained before the Police that her minor daughter was raped by Monson in July 2019 at his residence. He promised the girl higher education.
CPM state secretary has reported to have alleged that K. Sudhakaran was present in Monson’s house when the minor girl was sexually abused by the antique dealer.
There are allegations that Sudhakaran, through Abin Abraham, his friend and Youth Congress leader, threatened the plaintiffs.
When the news of KPCC chief’s arrest spread, Congress leaders and workers protested in the streets of Kerala and they observed ‘black day’ on June 24. Sudhakaran told the media that he was ready to resign from his party position in view of the arrest. But party high command and the state leaders said that they support KPCC president lock, stock and barrel.
BJP state president K. Surendran said that Rahul Gandhi remains mum because the allegations against Sudhakaran is genuine. Moreover, Congress high command is in unholy alliance with CPM. Congress protests against the actions of the central agencies. Same Congress does not oppose when their state president K. Sudhakaran MP (LS) is arrested by CPM regime. Surendran added that both Rahul and Priyanka talk on top of their voice against the POCSO allegations. They should clear their stand about KPCC president’s links with Monson Mavunkal, a convict in POCSO case. The same time Surendran alleged, this is an “adjustment” arrest, because, Congress leader got bail from the police station.
Congress leaders find it difficult to answer the tough questions from the rank and file about Rahul siting with CPM leader Sitaram Yechury, in the Opposition conclave in Patna, against BJP, when CPM government arrests their state president.
