Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala PCC president K Sudhakaran who has been named by crime branch as second accused in a cheating case linked to antique fraudster Monson Mavunkal, has moved Kerala high court seeking anticipatory bail.
The crime branch had on Wednesday served a fresh notice to the PCC president asking him to appear before the investigation team on June 23. Earlier the Congress leader had skipped the questioning on Monday citing important party meetings.
The case against Sudhakaran was registered following a written complaint filed by a complainant alleging that Rs 20 lakh was handed over to the 'fraud' antique collector Mavunkal in the presence of the Congress leader. There are allegations that the KPCC president had reportedly received Rs 10 lakh in return for a favour.
In his petition Sudhakaran contended that the notice had been issued to him 19 months after the registration of the crime. It prima facie appears that the notice is served for 'extraneous reasons and political compulsions.'
In the anticipatory bail plea, Sudhakaran strongly apprehended that the notice was a ploy to drag him into this controversy and tarnish his image. The PCC president has denied links with the antique fraudster Mavunkal.
Meanwhile, the state Congress leadership is gearing up to fight the case legally and politically. Leader of the opposition V D Satheeshan alleged that the case against Sudhakaran was to divert attention from the corrupt deeds of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
