Kerala: CPM leader took parcel of money from controversial businessman

A confessional statement of an ex-managing director of public sector firm Malabar Cements Limited (MCL), given in a judicial magistrate court, has come out alleging that CPI (M) central committee member Elamaram Kareem had taken “a parcel of money” from a controversial businessman associated with the cement company.

The incident, according to the ex-MD of MCL M Sunderamoorthy, took place in 2010 when Kareem had been Industries Minister in the then CPI (M)-led government.

The businessman, who had given the parcel of money to the minister through a third party, was V M Radhakrishnan, who is an accused in four corruption cases at the MCL. Besides, Radhakrishnan is also an alleged accused in the suicide case of a senior executive of MCL, who had been a whistle bowler at the company. He had been charged for abetting the suicide of V Saseendran and his two children in 2011.

Radhakrishan had been a contractor for the supply and transportation of raw materials to the factory. The statement said Radhakrishnan is virtually managing the affairs at the MCL, including the appointment of MD and other staff.

Sunderamoorthy, in his statement said , “when minister Kareem came to Valayar, where the MCL is situated, to inaugurate a sales office, a sealed cover was handed over to him by one Anandan, which was given by V M Radhakrishnan. He talked over phone and informed me to hand over the parcel to the minister. I understood that it was money I had handed over to the minister at the guest house.”

Kareem said the allegation was baseless. It was meant to destroy me politically. The statement of Sundaramoorthy lacks credibility. It was brought to the notice of the media as part of the bid of certain forces to regain the lost image of the ruling Congress, said Kareem.

But, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan and Congress state president V M Sudheeran sought probe into the revelation. Sudheeran said the corruption cases at MCL should be probed by the CBI. He said the death of MCL company secretary V Saseendran and his two children was not properly investigated.

In 2012, Sunderamoorthy had given a statement to then MCL Managing director K Padmakumar explaining that he was forced to do illegal things at the factor under duress from Radhakrishnan and Kareem. This statement was forwarded to the CBI which probed into the mysterious death of the MLC senior executive Saseendran. Later, CBI informed the court about the statement. Subsequently, the court recorded Sunderamoorthy’s statement last year.

In 2007, an audit report had found that the MCL had lost Rs 400 crore in corrupt deals since 2001. Vigilance authorities registered 11 cases, with Saseendran as the prime witness in four of these. He was found dead, along with two children in their house in January 2011. His death came a week after Vigilance submitted the chargesheet in a case involving the loss of Rs 16 crore.

Source:: Indian Express