BSNL scam: Main accused arrested by crime branch

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: AR Gopinathan (73), a native of Gowreeshapattam, the main accused in the BSNL Engineers Co-operative Society scam, has been arrested. He was arrested from a lodge in Kottarakkara by the division of the Crime Branch probing financial frauds. Two days ago, the investigation team conducted a search at the house in Mampuzha in Kundara where Gopinathan was hiding. Gopinathan, who escaped before the arrival of the police, was staying at a lodge in Kottarakkara. The crime branch also conducted an investigation at a private financial institution in Kundara where Gopinathan is believed to have invested the money from the co-operative society. The cooperative department had confiscated the properties in the name of Gopinathan. Then the crime branch issued a lookout notice against him and Rajeev, who was a clerk in the institution. Rajeev is still absconding.

The investigation team believes that by interrogating Gopinathan, they will be able to find out where the swindled money was deposited. After being produced in court, he will be taken into custody and questioned again if necessary.