Monson says he invited Behra to museum, police collecting evidence

CHERTHALA: Antiques fraudster Monson Mavunkal said that he personally invited former DGP Lokanath Behra to his museum and it was Anitha Pullayil who introduced him to the former. He revealed this when he was brought to his museum for collecting evidence. Monson said that he invited Behra on the previous day of SP Sujith Das's wedding and when he came Manoj Abraham too accompanied him to the museum and that he had no intention to cheat the two.

Monson said the photo of the two at the museum was not posted by him on social media but was posted by his driver Aji. Monson told police that if necessary could check his Facebook account.

The evidence was collected at the museum with sculptor Suresh, who made the sculptures for Monson. Suresh showed the sculptures he made to the police. Of that, Suresh said that he had completed the Vishwaroopam of Vishnu in five years and if Monson had not cheated him he would have sold it online. Monson bought the sculpture made out of Gmelina arborea, locally known as gamhar (kumble in Malayalam) from Suresh and then painted it. Monson admitted that he owed money to Suresh.

Meantime, the investigating officials jokingly listened to Monson's description of the antiques. Monson pointed out that in addition to the fraudulent antiquities, he had real antiquities in his collection and this caused laughter among the officials.

Monson's interrogation will continue today also. It is being investigated as who helped him to create fake bank documents. Archaeological officials will continue to examine the artefacts at Monson's home. Monson's statement that the antiquities have not been sold to anyone has not been taken into account by the investigation team.