KOCHI: Kerala high court has decided to hand over the financial fraud case against Nilambur MLA P V Anwar to the Crime Branch. The court has ordered the Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch department to probe the case.

The case refers to the offence that the MLA cheated Malappuram native and NRI Salim Naduthodi out of Rs 50 lakh over a crusher unit deal.

Slaim’s complaint is that Anwar cheated him by offering him share in his crusher unit in Karnataka.

It was in 2012 that Anwar allegedly duped NRI businessman Saleem. After claiming that he owned a crusher unit, Anwar offered him a 10 per cent share, for which Naduthodi gave him Rs 50 lakh.

When he failed to get any returns, Naduthodi sought the help of the police. Later, he approached the Manjeri Chief Judicial Magistrate saying that the police were reluctant to take action against the MLA. The court asked the police to conduct an investigation and ensure proper action. He had also approached CPM leaders, including Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, seeking steps to get back his money.

The police later found that there was no such crusher unit in Balthangady. The investigation will be done under the supervision of the high court.