PALAKKAD: Apsara Institue MD Vishnupriya was arrested yesterday for embezzling crores of rupees by cheating tribals and the government. Police arrested Vishnupriya after it was found that she had committed a massive scam under the guise of a tribal sewing training at Muthalamada in Palakkad. Following this, a report of the Directorate of Scheduled Tribes on the investigation of a similar scam carried out by Vishnupriya in Thiruvananthapuram has come out.

The report was prepared six months ago. However, it had been hoarded for so long. The report came out after Vishnupriya was taken into police custody yesterday. The Directorate of Scheduled Tribes had found that the sewing machines provided by the institute were old and of poor quality. The officials had been unwilling to take action despite tribal women filing complaints with the police and vigilance.

The report was prepared after a hearing on tribal women and Vishnupriya on November 12. There were no teachers for sewing training. Although ten sewing machines were provided, only two were operational. Tool kits not were provided. The tribal women were given a 200-page notebook instead of the study material worth Rs 500. The report clarifies that the money given to the Apsara Institute should be recovered. However, no action was taken against the institute. When enquired about this, the ST director had said that an investigation was underway.

Vishnupriya was arrested from Ottapalam yesterday. According to the charge sheet, Vishnupriya embezzled around Rs 2 crore. She has been charged with several offences, including fraud and intimidation. It has been alleged that Apsara Institue, a blacklisted establishment, had paid bribes to the Nedumangad project officer. These allegations will also be investigated in detail by the Director of Scheduled Tribes.