BSNL scam: Gopinathan did real estate dealings worth crores

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Crime Branch probe has revealed that AR Gopinathan, the main accused arrested in the BSNL Engineers Co-operative Society investment scam, did land dealings worth crores during the last ten years. Details about real estate businesses conducted in and outside the district was found while questioning Gopinathan, who is still in custody. As per indications, the transactions took place in such a way that it is not possible to accurately remember many of the buying and selling of properties, except recent ones.

With this, the investigation team sent a letter to the district registrar asking for details of properties owned by Gopinathan for more clarity on the transactions. Manikandan, Gopinathan's close friend and one of the key links in the scam, was given a letter to appear for questioning, but fearing arrest, he did not come to the crime branch office. With this, efforts to catch him have been intensified. The search for another accused in the case, AR Rajeev, has also been intensified. Gopinathan has been remanded till March 22.