KOCHI: The Crime Branch on Friday conducted a raid in Chennai for Sandeep Mehta, one of the builders of the controversial apartment building Jain Housing at Maradu. The raid was conducted today afternoon in order to arrest Mehta in relation with the Maradu flat case. Earlier, Sandeep Mehta was asked to appear before the Crime Branch on Monday. However, the officials were unable to find Mehta.

According to reports, Mehta has absconded from Chennai and is on the run. Following the report, the Crime Branch squad has intensified the search in Kerala and other states. Meanwhile, other builders including Holy Faith owner Sani Francis are currently lodged at the Muvattupuzha sub-jail.

Another builder named Paul Raj of Alpha Ventures has also failed to appear in front of the Justice Balakrishnan Nair committee appointed by the Supreme court. However, the court had stayed his arrest following his request for extra time to appear before the committee.