Using lost ATM card to withdraw money; BJP expels woman leader Sujanya Gopi 

ALAPPUZHA: The party has taken action against the BJP leader who embezzled money using a lost ATM card. Sujanya Gopi who represents the Thiruvanvandoor ward in the Chengannur block panchayat, was expelled from the party. Sujanya Gopi resigned from her posts on the instructions of the leadership. Sujanya was also a Mahila Morcha office bearer in the district.

Sujanya Gopi (42) and her assistant Salish Mon (46) of Kallissery Valyath Lakshmi Nivas were earlier arrested in the incident. The police registered a case on the complaint of Vinod Abraham, a native of Chengannur. Vinod's wallet, which included his ATM card, went missing on March 14.

Vinod lost his wallet on the way back after dropping his wife, who is an employee of a private hospital in Kallissery, at her workplace. Vinod's wallet was found by auto driver Salish Mon. Salish informed Sujanya about the wallet. The two then withdrew Rs 25,000 from ATM counters in Budhanoor, Pandanad and Mannar between 6 and 8 am on March 15.

They withdrew the amount using the PIN number written down with the ATM card. Vinod filed a complaint with the Chengannur police after receiving a message on his mobile that the money had been withdrawn. The ATM card was later found abandoned near the Kallissery railway flyover. The accused were arrested after an investigation focused on CCTV footage. Both were remanded.