Kasargod, Kerala:
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) lawmaker MC Kamaruddin was arrested by the Crime Division in Kerala’s Kasargod on Saturday, following a series of police complaints accusing him of cheating.
Before his arrest, he was interrogated by the SIT (Special Investigation Team) for more than five hours.
The IUML is an ally of the UDF (United Democratic Front) led by Congress, which is part of the opposition in the southern state.
Kamaruddin is also chairman of the Fashion Gold Jewelery Group and complaints filed at various police stations accuse him of misleading investors out of millions of rupees.
According to a senior law enforcement official who spoke to the PTI news agency, the complaints alleged that the company had failed to pay investors even after they paid for the shares.
Fashion Gold Jewelery outlets were abruptly closed in December last year, without investors being informed. Sources say more than 100 cases have been recorded against him as of August.
The police officer told PTI that although the initial complaints showed fraud of around 1 million rupees, there were many other investors who had yet to come forward.
The amount could be as high as 100 million rupees, he said.
Meanwhile, when he was taken to the hospital for a routine medical check-up after his arrest, Kamaruddin said the accusations against him were “politically motivated”. He had previously said that it was still possible for investors to get their money back.
Earlier today, a senior police official said “there is sufficient evidence to arrest MC Kamaruddin.” Police have also registered a case against IUML’s TK Pookoiya Thangal, according to PTI.
With input from PTI
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