‘Anto Antony borrowed two crores, returned only 20 lakhs,’ alleges N M Raju 

KOCHI: N M Raju, owner of Nedumparambil Credit Syndicate and Kerala Congress (M) leader said Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru investing Rs 2.5 crore in his firm is just an allegation and that he has not met the Tantri or his family. Raju while addressing the media said that he has clarified these things to the ED, who raided his firm and house.

N M Raju also levelled financial allegations against Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony. He alleged that Anto Antony borrowed Rs 2 crore for election campaigns on the promise of repaying it within two months, but even after seven years, only 20 lakhs were returned.

'Anto Antony and his wife came to his office and house several times demanding money during the time of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Then gave Rs 2 crore at interest for campaign purposes. He promised to return the money within two months, but even after seven years, the entire money was not given. The money was given without any collateral. This money was given through the office account out of personal relationships. It was the money of the investors. This was reported to the ED and the Crime Branch.

When the firm was facing a major crisis, went to the MP's house with my daughter and asked for money, but he was not ready to give it. Had approached him many times for the money,' Raju alleged. He said that he had not filed a complaint with the police so far because he wanted the money back and now decided to make the matter public.

N M Raju is the owner of the finance firm that is under investigation in the Sabarimala gold theft. Reports had emerged that Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru had invested crores in the firm and that he did not file a case even after the bank closed and the money was not received. The ED had searched the bank and Raju's house as part of the investigation yesterday. Nedumparambil Credit Syndicate is a firm that has been under investigation by the ED for two years in an investment fraud. The firm’s assets worth Rs 44 crore have been frozen.