Sudhakaran arraigned in Monson Mavunkal case chargesheet
The Crime Branch of the Kerala Police filed a chargesheet before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court here on Tuesday in connection with a case relating to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K. Sudhakaran reportedly accepting ₹10 lakh from fake antiques dealer Monson Mavunkal.
A PTI report quoting a Crime Branch official said Mr. Sudhakaran has been listed as the second accused in the case. Mavunkal was questioned at length and arrested by the Crime Branch in June 2023 and later released on bail.
Mr. Sudhakaran’s name was included as an accused in the case after some persons who were reportedly cheated by Mavunkal of ₹10 crore said they had paid another ₹25 lakh to the controversial fake antiquities dealer in Mr. Sudhakaran’s presence.
Digital evidence
The probe team had then confronted the KPCC president with digital evidence that reportedly established his presence at Mavunkal’s house at that time.
The KPCC chief was arrested in the case on June 23, 2023 when he was called for questioning in the case.
However, he was immediately released on bail in accordance with a direction of the Kerala High Court. The Crime Branch registered the case following complaints that they had handed over large sums of money to Mavunkal on the basis of “assurances” given by Mr. Sudhakaran, among others.
In August 2023, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) which was reportedly probing the moneylaundering aspects of the case against Mavunkal had interrogated Mr. Sudhakaran.
Criticised
The Congress criticised the government for making Mr. Sudhakaran an accused in the case and alleged that the Left regime was using the police to "hunt" the Opposition.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, said everyone knew that Mr. Sudhakaran had no role in the case and that the issue would be dealt with legally. He alleged that there was a conspiracy to make the KPCC chief an accused in the case.