KASARGOD: A charge sheet has been filed against BJP state chief K Surendran in the Manjeswaram bribery case. The crime branch filed the charge sheet at the Kasargod district court. The charge sheet has imposed non-bailable charges. There are six accused including Surendran.

The case is that Surendran gave Rs 2.5 lakh and a smart phone to Sundara, a BSP candidate in Manjeswaram to withdraw his candidature. Sundara, namesake of Surendran, revealed on June 5, 2021 that the BJP was worried on his candidature. They feared that if he contests the polls, their votes will decrease and so bribed to withdraw his nomination papers. The case was registered following a complaint filed by V V Ramesan, LDF candidate.

K Surendran is the main accused. Weak charges were initially imposed. Special prosecutor had directed the investigating team to include Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe sections. Non-bailable charges were added after accepting it.