KASARGOD: Non-bailable charges have been imposed against BJP state chief K Surendran in the Manjeswaram bribery case. Charges under the SC/ST Act too was also imposed. The interim report submitted by the crime branch in the bribery case stated that non-bailable charges have been imposed additionally.

The case is that Sundara, a BSP candidate in Manjeshwaram was given Rs 2.5 lakh and a smartphone to withdraw his candidature. He was also threatened. Sundara had revealed on June 5 that the BJP was concerned that less votes would be attained if he contests having similar name of Surendran and paid bribe to withdraw his nomination. The case was registered following a complaint lodged by V V Ramesan, a Left Front candidate.

Apart from Surendran, five more local BJP leaders have also been indicted by the police. K Surendran is the main accused. The case was registered in June last year. The interim report in the case was produced in the crime branch court yesterday. The decision was to impose a non-bailable charges on five of the accused.

The special prosecutor had earlier directed the investigation team to include Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act too as feeble charges were imposed. The new act accepted this direction.