CBI probe needed into two-wheeler scam linked to fake CSR funds

Companies manufacture and sell scooters, sewing machines and similar equipment, taking their profits. Small discounts can be given to authorized sales outlets. Such offers are common during Onam, Christmas and Ramzan. However, no showroom has promised to provide scooters at half price, and would never will. If they do so, the company will have to shut down. When a society says that it will provide scooters at half price, anyone with common sense should smell a scam. However, if someone says that scooters can be provided at half price through some institutions to those working there, many will fall for it. Credibility increases when it is said that this is not done by an individual but through a society. People will fall for the scam in droves.

According to the news, a 26-year-old man from Thodupuzha has embezzled over a thousand crore rupees from various districts of Kerala in an offer scam. Ananthu Krishnan has been arrested by the Muvattupuzha police. Initial investigation has revealed that Rs 400 crore had been deposited in one of his bank accounts and only Rs 3 crore of this is left now. So, it is necessary to investigate where these fraudulent amounts were transferred. If this money has been transferred to another state or abroad, the investigation by the local police will not be enough to find and recover it. The victims of the fraud will get justice only if central agencies like the CBI investigate the case.

Since the accused Ananthu Krishnan is close to top political leaders, the possibility of interference in the investigation underway in Kerala cannot be ruled out. Most of those who lost money are women, farmers and ordinary people. Following his arrest, around 1200 women alone have filed complaints at various stations. Central agencies investigating economic crimes should also investigate this fraud. The fraud was committed in the name of the National NGO Confederation, a coalition of voluntary organizations. Up to Rs. 6,000 was charged as registration fee. Crores of rupees were deposited in their accounts through this itself. In addition, half the price of the goods purchased had to be paid in advance. The remaining amount was promised to be provided from the CSR funds of large companies.

Police say that Ananthu Krishnan used the crores he earned through the fraud to buy acres of land in Idukki and Karnataka. He has also tried to hide the documents related to this. The fraud was committed by forming societies in more than 75 blocks and making people members. Many farmers were cheated on the promise of being provided with chemical fertilizers at half the price. CCTV footage of documents being stolen from the accused's rented flat at the Ernakulam High Court junction has also been released. The highest number of complaints has been received from Kannur district - 2000 complaints. It is believed that more than six hundred crores have been embezzled from Ernakulam district alone. The fact that Kerala has become a place where such various frauds are repeated after a short interval is not pleasant at all. Such fraudsters mainly take advantage of the insatiable desire of man for money and profit.