Parallel Telephone Exchange: Main accused goes abroad

THRISSUR: Recent reports claimed that Malappuram native Salim, the main accused in the case where six parallel telephone exchanges were found in Ernakulam and Koratty, has left the country. According to the police, suspicions about terrorist dealings and international connections of the accused can be confirmed only after arresting Salim. It is learnt that other accused used to travel to other countries along with Salim. Salim's accomplice Ibrahim is also absconding.

The police concluded that the network behind the parallel telephone exchange was spread across the state and abroad. A meeting of top police officials was convened to decide whether to hand over the probe to central agencies. However, top officials have suggested that the police should form a probe team.

At the same time, it is feared that inexperience in investigating such cases will be a major hurdle for the police. Meanwhile, the phone numbers were handed over to BSNL, Idea and Jio to check the SIM cards seized from Ernakulam.