KOCHI: The third accused in Monson Mavungal's antiquities fraud case, former DIG S Surendran was arrested by the Crime Branch and released on bail. Surendran, who appeared for questioning at the Kalamasseri District Crime Branch Office was arrested at 9 pm.

As the High Court had granted interim anticipatory bail, Surendran was released on bail after his arrest on a bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of equal amount.

IG Laxman, the fourth accused in the case will be questioned on Monday at 11 am.

Surendran was implicated based on the complainant's statement and bank records. The questioning was conducted using a specially prepared questionnaire focusing on Monson Mavungal's relationships and money transactions. There were also inquiries about Monson's transactions to Surendran's wife's account. Surendran was interrogated under the leadership of Crime Branch DySP Y R Restam. The complainants had testified that they paid Rs 25 lakh to the first accused, Monson Mavungal on December 2019 at the house of former DIG Surendran. Complainants Yakub, Anoop V Ahmed and Salim Edathil handed over the money in Thrissur. K Sudhakaran, IG G Laxman and S Surendran made promises and the complainants gave money to Monson, trusting this.

The arrest of the second defendant, KPCC president K Sudhakaran was recorded earlier.