Two Wheelers, Laptops At Half Price: What Is CSR Multi-Crore Scam In Kerala?
After the police arrested key accused Anandhu Krishnan in connection with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds scam, the incident has hit headlines with the potential involvement of politicians and other high-profile persons. According to the police, the 26-year-old has been engaged in fraudulent activities involving over Rs 1,000 crore.
With the arrest, the accused has revealed several high-profile names, including politicians and Sai Gramam Global Trust Chairman, retired Kerala High Court Judge, among others. The scam was carried out systematically, extracting crores with false promises of delivering items such as two wheelers, laptops and home items at half price. Even Leader of Opposition VD Satheeshan recently claimed that the scammers had approached him too, adding that he, fortunately didn’t fall victim to the group.
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On Monday, February 10, Kerala State Police Chief (SPC) Shaik Darvesh Saheb issued a circular transferring the investigation into 34 cases registered at various police stations across the state in connection with the alleged CSR funds scam to the State Crime Branch (CB) with immediate effect. The decision was reportedly made considering the sensational nature of the case.
How Anandhu Krishnan Orchestrated The Multi-Crore Fraud?
The accused man reportedly misled victims by offering products such as two-wheelers, home appliances, laptops, and others at half market price, claiming that the remaining amount would be paid through CSR funds from different companies.
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To convince the victims, Anandhu managed to create trust among the people by establishing relationships with politicians and local bodies while pretending that the CRS funds are being used for the projects, as he had access to the fund to help the needy. Notably, during the initial phase of the scam, the accused delivered the products to the people at half price, and after gaining the trust of a large section of the people, deliveries started getting delayed and eventually ceased after collecting half the market price of multiple products. It was not refunded either.
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Anandhu orchestrated the scam under the guise of an NGO ‘Muvattupuzha Socio-Economic Development Society and deceived NGOs, trusts, and local government bodies into promoting the scheme. More politicians from all three fronts – BJP, Congress and Left parties are reported to be local promoters of the scam. Several local promoters are also reportedly victims of the scam including the IUML leader Najeeb Kanthapuram.
After the police arrested Anandhu, he stated that he would reveal the names of more politicians involved in the scam. The accused has already named Congress leader Laly Vincent, as per the reports by local media. However, the Congress leader has denied saying that, claiming that her only connection to Krishnan was as his lawyer in a professional capacity. According to the police, Laly Vincent acted as the legal adviser for the society.
During interrogation, the accused, Anandhu, claimed that he had given money to Sai Gramam Global Trust Chairman K. N. Anand Kumar and several politicians in the state, adding that he would disclose more names later. Politicians from all three fronts are reported to have supported the accused’s team. More politicians are suspected to have received money from the scammers.
Many people have lost large amounts of money to the scam so far, and the victims have registered complaints at multiple locations across the state. People who fell victim to the scam lost the money without getting the promised products.
In Kannur city limits alone, there are approximately 700 complaints, according to Kannur City Police Commissioner Nidhin Raj. Describing the scam, the commissioner said that the accused registered a SEED Society (Social Education Economical Development Society) and made many people members of it in the last 1.5 years. The accused then offered to supply laptops, two-wheelers, and wheelchairs for half price, and people transferred the money to an account. Eventually, the victims will not get the products on the said date
Paravur native Prameela was the first to file a complaint against Ananthu Krishnan with Muvattupuzha police. Complaints have been filed in Kannur, Malappuram, Idukki, and Kasaragod districts. Over 200 cases have been registered in Kannur, while around 147 cases have been in Malappuram.
With the Crime Branch wing of the Kerala Police set to take over the case, a detailed investigation is expected to reveal the scam further.
