Kerala government transfers multi-crore CSR fund scam to Crime Branch
DGP directs crime branch chief to submit probe report within 30 days
Thiruvananthapuram:The Crime Branch will investigate the multi-crore corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund scam in Kerala.
The local police in several districts have filed 34 cases related to the scam, with Ernakulam and Idukki each reporting 11 cases, Alappuzha 8 cases, Kottayam 3 cases and Kannur 1 case. The amount involved in these cases is estimated to be around Rs 37 crore.
The government transferred the cases to crime branch in view of the sensational nature of the crime and to ensure an effective probe. The DGP directed the ADGP crime branch to head the probe and asked him to submit the preliminary report within 15 days and the investigation report within 30 days.
The scam involves promises of laptops, scooters and home appliances being offered at half their price under the CS funds. The fraud perpetrated by the main accused Ananthu Krishnan could exceed Rs 1000 crore. Over 600 complaints have already been lodged by individuals defrauded by this scam. The accused alleged that he provided money to K N Ananda Kumar, the chairman Sai Gramam Trust as well as to several politicians in the state.
A former judge of the Kerala high Court , Justice C N Ramachandran Nair, has been named as the third accused case registered at the Perinthalmanna police station in the Malappuram district. He was a patron of the National NGO Confederation, which was established by the key accused, Ananthu Krishnan. The second accused is K N Ananda Kumar, who serves as the executive director of the Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust and is the chairman of the Confederation.
Justice Nair has strongly denied any wrongdoing, stating that he was never a patron of the confederation. He served as a legal advisor for the organisation but severed ties with it some time ago.
Several other prominent figures have been named in separate FIRs, including Muslim League MLA Najeeb Kanathapuram and ongress leader Laly Vincent. Some complaints have also referred to the involvement of an NGO led by BJP leader A N Radhakrishnan.
The main accused, Ananthu Krishnan , used his photos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent figures to attract customers.
The accused allegedly defrauded people of crores of rupees by offering laptops, scooters, and home appliances at half price. He convinced individuals that these schemes were funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from various companies.
He established an NGO confederation, misleading NGOs, trusts and local government bodies into supporting the scheme. Applicants were required to pay half the product price with a promise of delivery within 40 days. However, the products were never delivered and the funds were not refunded.
