'Didn't DGP realise truth even after seeing Tipu's throne and Staff of Mosses? who invited DGP and ADGP to Monson's house?' HC lashes out

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has lashed out at the police in connection with the case against conman Monson Mavunkal. The court, which criticised the affidavit submitted by DGP Anil Kant, also directed that a proper inquiry be held into the antique fraud case. The court asked whether former DGP Lokanath Behera and Manoj Abraham, who visited Monson's house, were unaware of the Archaeological Law. It mocked the two by asking whether they were not able to realise that Monson was a fraud even after seeing Tipu's throne and Staff of Mosses displayed in his museum. The court added that the government's explanation regarding IG Lakshmana's role was incomplete.

"There is a law in the country for keeping and displaying antique items. Were these high-ranking police officers unaware of that law? Who invited the ADGP and DGP to Monson's house," the court asked.

"ADGP Manoj Abraham ordered an intelligence probe against Monson on May 11, 2019. After this, Monson wrote a letter to the police asking for security for the house. Why did the police give protection to Monson despite being suspicious about him?" the court added. The court also asked whether the case, which involved a high-ranking police official, should be investigated by the state police. It observed that the affidavit raised further questions.