KOZHIKODE: The Vigilance has intensified its probe against KPCC president K Sudhakaran on a complaint of graft and misappropriation of funds filed by his former driver. The complaint was lodged by Sudhakaran's former driver and close accomplice Prashanth Maroli in 2021. Kozhikode vigilance cell has started the investigation.

The main complaint is that Sudhakaran and his colleagues had swindled Rs 16 crores collected from abroad to take over Chirakkal Rajas High School in Kannur. The Vigilance is also investigating Sudhakaran's financial source. As a first step, Vigilance has sent a notice to the head teacher of Kannur Kadachira High School seeking the salary details of Sudhakaran's wife Smitha. Prashanth has been asked to appear at the Kozhikode Vigilance Office at 11 am on Tuesday to hand over the details of the case.

In addition to the funds collected for the school, Prashanth also sought an investigation into sources of the houses bought from the time Sudhakaran was the president of the Kannur DCC until he became the minister, the luxury cars allegedly bought in the name of benamis in various districts, and the property information of his son-in-law.

Vigilance said that it will check the income and accounts of Sudhakaran in addition to the property information of his wife. It will also look into Sudhakaran's income and the property he acquired in the last 15 years. The Vigilance Special Cell said that this is not a new investigation but started in 2021. The investigation is headed by Special Assistant Commissioner Abdul Razak.

16 crores to take over school

Prashant Maroli, who filed a complaint against Sudhakaran, said that 16 crores collected from abroad to take over Chirakkal Rajas High School were swindled by Sudhakaran and his close aides.

"This is the school where K Karunakaran studied. The party created the K Karunakaran Memorial Trust to take over the dilapidated school from the royal family. Upon hearing Karunakaran's name, many people within Kerala and outside came out to help. Thus, around 32 crores were collected. 19 crores were collected from the Gulf alone. However, only 16 crores reached the trust. The Karunakaran Memorial Trust was replaced by a new trust consisting of Sudhakaran, some of his relatives and accomplices. Its name is Edupark Society. The royal family did not agree when they went to take over the school in the name of the Edupark Society. The school was later taken over by a CPM-controlled bank. I was with Sudhakaran from 1987 to 1993. I had served as his Office Secretary and driver," Prashant Maroli said.