A special team to investigate an antique dealer

Thiruvananthapuram, October 3 (PTI): Kerala police announced on Sunday that they have formed a special investigative team to investigate the cases against antiquarian Monson Mavunkal.

Thiruvananthapuram Range IG G Sparjan Kumar would lead the team, an order issued by State Police Chief Anilkant said. The head of the crime branch, S Sreejith, would monitor the investigation, the police chief said in a press release.

Crime Branch Ernakulam SP MJ Sojan, Kozhikode Vigilance SP PC Sajeeban, Guruvayoor Deputy Superintendent of Police KG Suresh, Pathanamthitta Crime Branch Deputy SP J Umesh Kumar and four police inspectors are also part of the team.

Originally from Cherthala, Mavunkal who claims to be in possession of rare and historical antiques was arrested last week by the Crime Branch wing of the Kerala Police Department investigating complaints against the dealer for defrauding Rs 10 crore from several people .

The issue snowballed into political controversy when footage of Mavunkal, along with Congress leader K Sudhakaran, came out.

Sudhakaran had said he went to Mavunkal’s residence for treatment, the latter claiming to be a qualified cosmetologist.

Mavunkal allegedly made false statements about himself and his business to various people and collected money from them. Numerous images of Mavunkal with senior police officers and state bureaucrats came out.

(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)