Summary:
Kochi, Sep 28 (PTI) A court here on Tuesday granted Crime Branch the custody of Monson Mavunkal, the accused in the Rs ten crore swindling case, even as leaders of the BJP and the Congress expressed doubts over the efficacy of the state government agency to bring out the extent of fraud committed by the controversial antique dealer.
A local court here refused to grant bail to Mavunkal but granted three-day custody to the Crime Branch which has been probing the case.
As reports about Mavunkal"s alleged high profile connections with IPS officers, top bureaucrats and politicians emerged, former UDF convener and Lok Sabha MP Benny Behanan today alleged that the antique dealer was part of an international smuggling racket and said he has no faith in the Crime Branch wing of the Kerala police.
Talking to reporters, Behanan said in order to bring out the extent of the forgery committed by Mavunkal, a serious probe must be initiated.
"The accused used to invite senior police officials, politicians, actors and others to his residence and created an image that he had high-level contacts and engaged in fraudulent activities.
A comprehensive probe must be conducted to understand the extent of forgery he has committed," Behanan said.