KOCHI: BJP Central Core Committee member A.N. Radhakrishnan was interrogated for over three hours on Wednesday by a special Crime Branch investigation team in connection with the high-profile half-price scam. The senior party leader arrived at the Crime Branch office in Thripunithura at 10:15 a.m. and was released around 2 p.m. after the questioning concluded. Radhakrishnan has been under scrutiny since the alleged financial fraud surfaced.

Sources indicate that A.N. Radhakrishnan revealed to the Crime Branch that he had transferred Rs 42 crore to Ananthu Krishnan, the prime accused in the case and a native of Kodayathur in Idukki. Radhakrishnan was called in for questioning over financial transactions involving Ananthu Krishnan and the Society for Integrated Growth of the Nation (SIGN), an entity headed by Radhakrishnan as its president. SIGN has reportedly been returning funds to individuals who invested in the project. Radhakrishnan also informed investigators that the society was facing financial difficulties due to the high volume of pending refunds.

The Crime Branch had issued a notice to Radhakrishnan in early April asking him to appear for questioning. On April 15, he visited the Crime Branch office but left without being questioned after encountering media personnel. Yesterday's questioning was led by Crime Branch SP M.J. Sojan.