Representative image of scam
Credit: iStock Photo
Thiruvananthapuram: Hundreds of persons, mostly women, across Kerala have been allegedly cheated by a racket by collecting funds offering two-wheelers and home appliances at half price.
The scam is causing embarrassment to all mainstream political parties owing to links with the prime accused Ananthu Krishnan, 26, of Idukki district.
While Congress leader Lali Vincent was made co-accused in one of the cases as she was legal advisor of an NGO formed by Krishnan, an NGO headed by BJP leader A N Radhakrishnan had also allegedly collected money from scores of persons with the same offer.
Pictures of the key accused with top leaders of all political parties at various functions have also surfaced.
Police sources said that around 15 cases were so far registered in various districts whereas thousands of complaints were so far received at various parts of the state. The total quantum of cheating is estimated to be around Rs 750 crore. A special investigation team is likely to be formed to probe the case.
Various NGOs linked with the accused made the offer by making the victims believe that CSR funds of major companies and central schemes would be utilised to provide two-wheelers and home appliances at half prices.
Vincent told reporters that many persons who assured to make available CSR funds had backtracked. Hence Krishnan landed in trouble.
Krishnan was initially held in connection with a complaint at Muvattupuzha on the suburbs of Kochi on Monday. Around 1,200 women in the region were cheated.
The accused had formed an NGO titled Sardar Patel Institute of Advanced Research and Developmental Studies. Socio-Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) societies were formed under it across the state. Local politicians were also involved in the societies. Two wheelers and home appliances were given to many people by these agencies.