Monson Mavunkal cheating case: KPCC chief K Sudhakaran arrested, released on bail

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and Member of Parliament (MP) from Kannur K Sudharakan was arrested on Friday in connection with his alleged involvement in a cheating case associated with fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. The development came after he was grilled for seven hours by the Kochi Crime Branch. However, the veteran Congress leader will be soon released on bail based on the directive of the High Court.

Also read: Kerala High Court grants anticipatory bail to KPCC chief K Sudhakaran in cheating case

When the Kerala High Court ordered Sudhakaran to appear before the Crime Branch on June 23, it stated that, in the event that he was to be detained in connection with the case of cheating, he would be free on bail upon depositing a bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the same amount. 

Based on a statement made by complainants who had lost money in the cheating case, the Crime Branch made the decision to question the KPCC president. The complainants said they had given money to Mavunkal in Sudhakaran's presence when they made the transfer of funds.

Following his arrest, Congress has decided to observe a black day tomorrow (June 24) in the state. Opposition leader V D Satheesan said that Sudhakaran's arrest was part of a political plot and that the LDF administration should not believe it could quiet the opposition. In response to Sudhakaran's detention, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala asserted that the CPM had ordered the action and that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan shares the same fascist outlook as the Modi administration.

On September 23, 2021, a complaint was filed against Mavunkal for allegedly defrauding people out of Rs. 10 crores on the pretext of returning the money. Additionally, it was claimed that the accused had misled the complainants by presenting them with false data associated with his account. 

The alleged links between Sudhakaran and the fake antique dealer were exposed after the two were pictured together, said sources. According to the complainants, Mavunkal pretended to be a cosmetologist and even treated Sudhakaran. Sudhakaran claimed that after meeting Mavunkal five times to seek therapy, he stopped. He denied having any business contacts with Mavunkal, though.

Also read: Monson Mavunkal fraud case: Crime Branch names Kerala's Congress chief K Sudhakaran as second accused

• K Sudhakaran
• K Sudhakaran arrest
• Monson Mavunkal case