CPM secretary's son faces allegations of Rs 13 crore fraud

Kerala's ruling CPM was left battling strong political opposition on Wednesday after a Dubai-based tourism company raised allegations of financial fraud, involving Rs 13 crore, against the son of state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

In his petition, Hasan Ismaeel Abdulla Almarzooqi who owns JAAS Tourism LLC sought from the Indian government filing of a formal complaint against Binoy Balakrishnan, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan eldest son, for having allegedly cheated his company of AED (currency of the United Arab Emirates seven million (including bank interest and legal charges). Reports said the petition was also forwarded to the party's central leadership but CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury denied them. The petitioner alleged that despite having been informed about the issue, Balakrishnan did not intervene.

Binoy, through his friendship with Rakhul Krishnan, a partner in JAAS Tourism, had allegedly borrowed money from banks that held the firm's accounts on a mortgage loan – AED 313,200 (about Rs 54 lakh) – for buying an Audi car. Later, he also borrowed AED 4.5 million (about Rs 7.8 crore) for business deals in UAE, India, Saudi Arabia and Nepal. The petitioner said Binoy who had guaranteed repayment of the amount in full by June 1, 2016 soon started defaulting on EMI payment of the vehicle loan and later, "escaped" from the UAE to India. He claimed that since the Dubai Public Prosecution pronounced Binoy a wilful defaulter, a court had also directed the company to seek Interpol's assistance in tracking him.

"No allegation has been raised against a party leader. Regarding the allegations against my son, he has to respond. There's no case against him now, so there's no need for help from Interpol," the CPM state secretary told reporters.

BINOY DISMISSES CHARGES

Binoy denied the allegations of fraud and said it was an issue from 2014 and already settled in court. Speaking with a television channel, he said the case was "settled" after he paid a penalty of AED 60,000 (about Rs 10 lakh) – in connection with cases involving bounced cheques – in a Dubai court, in November last year.

Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala sought a clarification on the issue from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan or the CPM leadership. BJP state president Kummanam