Half price scam: Police to confiscate 'funds' received by politicians

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police will confiscate money received by politicians as funds and donations in half price scam. In cases of financial fraud, it is the norm to confiscate assets purchased with the stolen money. The police will take similar measures in this case as well.

Ananthu Krishnan, a native of Idukki, extorted more than 400 crores by offering scooters, sewing machines and laptops at half price. ‘Kerala Kaumudi’ had earlier reported about moves ongoing behind curtains to save the politicians involved in this scam.

Many leaders of various districts including Idukki and Ernakulam have taken lakhs as donations and funds. The top leaders of the ruling party have also admitted to having received the funds. Donations do not fall within the ambit of the crime, but the whole setup is a scam, which makes it pertinent to confiscate the money. The police also stated that it is not legally possible to file a fraud case against those who received the money.

The crime branch will take information from Ananthu about politicians who have received donations and funds. Accordingly, measures will be taken to confiscate the money. This will be done during the second phase of the case. Now the priority will be to take cases on the complaints, arrest all the accused and freeze their assets. So far 500 cases have been registered out of more than 8000 complaints.

The police stated that the fraud was planned and carried out by Ananthu and Saigram Executive Director Anandakumar. Anandakumar will be made the main accused in all the cases. Anandakumar will be arrested as soon as the court gives a verdict on his anticipatory bail plea.

• The authority will have District Collectors and Additional District Magistrates as nodal officers.

• If fraud is confirmed in the police investigation, the assets of the organization and its owners will be confiscated and sold at auction to provide money to the investors.