THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sai Gramam Executive Director K.N. Anandakumar has been taken into custody by the Crime Branch in connection with the half-price scam. The action comes after the Thiruvananthapuram District Principal Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. Anandakumar has been moved to a hospital after he complained of physical discomfort.

Anandakumar had argued that the money received in the half price scam was for the trust, and that he had no personal involvement in it. The case, which had been postponed five times due to delays in receiving the police report, was finally heard in court yesterday. The police maintain that Anandakumar had clear knowledge of the fraudulent activity.

Anandakumar's anticipatory bail petition named Kannur SP as the opposing party in the case, which was filed by the Kannur Town Police following a complaint from A. Mohanan, the secretary of the Kannur Seed Society. Anandakumar is the second accused, while Ananthu Krishnan is the first. Seven individuals are named in total, facing charges of breach of trust and fraud. The complaint alleges that the accused embezzled Rs 2.96 crore by promising members of the Seed Society two-wheelers at half price. Other accused in the case include Dr. Beena Sebastian, Sheeba Suresh, Suma K.P., Indira, and Congress leader Laly Vincent.