Don't know about MV Govindan, efforts are being made to protect Vijesh Pillai: Swapna Suresh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Swapna Suresh, the accused in the gold smuggling case, said that efforts are being made to protect Vijesh Pillai. She was responding to the media after appearing for questioning at the Kannur Crime Branch office in the case of defaming CPM State Secretary MV Govindan.

"I don't know about MV Govindan. It was only after this case that I even knew such a person existed. However, the first time I heard about him was from Vijesh Pillai. I don't feel the need to judge him or find out more about him. I have no interest in that. Whether it is Govindan or his son is not a matter that concerns me. Someone from the party, who has nothing to do with me, filed the case.

To this day, I stand by all the words and will never back down. Don't try to beat me by trapping me in so many cases. I will stand my ground till the end. A complaint was lodged with the Bangalore police because I was 100 percent adamant about what I had said. Today's drama was just a nuisance. I don't even know if my life will be difficult now. I don't know if there is any plan to finish me on the way. No matter what happens it is welcome, my life is under threat, and I will continue to cooperate with the investigation," said Swapna Suresh.

Swapna Suresh appeared for questioning at the Kannur Crime Branch office. The questioning is based on a complaint filed by CPM Taliparamba area secretary Santosh. The case is that she conspired with Vijesh Pillai and tried to defame MV Govindan.

Swapna alleged that MV Govindan offered 30 crores through Vijesh Pillai to withdraw the complaint against the Chief Minister in the gold smuggling case. Swapna alleged that Vijay Pilla alias Vijesh Pilla, a native of Kannur, approached her asking her to withdraw from the case and hand over all the documents. It was against this that a petition was filed to file a case under the conspiracy and defamation sections. The investigation team had earlier questioned Vijesh Pillai in the case.

Vijesh Pillai said that he did not know MV Govindan or his son personally and that the allegation was fabricated by Swapna Suresh. "I had a business meeting. There may have been a conspiracy by Swapna Suresh but I do not know about it. The story of death threat and 30 crores was made up by Swapna Suresh", Vijesh Pillai's responded.