Key accused bailed out under political pressure

KALPETTA: The increasing pressure on police officials investigating the Rs 1,500 crore money chain fraud that rocked the state took a new turn as the Opposition as well as ruling front allegedly joined hands in ensuring bail for one of the key accused Biju Karnan, managing director of BikMaark International Pvt Ltd. Biju was taken into custody on Monday by the police on complaints of fraud filed by three women of Mananthavadi.The company promoted its products through multilevel marketing, allegedly violating the sections of Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act1978.By the time the police team arrived at Mananthavadi with the accused, leaders of both the political fronts had done enough spadework which forced the three complainants to withdraw the complaint.Binoy Kodiyeri, son of CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who visited the police station, reportedly coordinated the activities to ensure bail for the accused while a Youth Congress leader who accompanied the women and relatives ensured that the women have withdrawn the complaint.More alarming is the VVIP calls from the offices of both Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Oommen Chandy reportedly received by the investigating officers. Even a Malayalam film star intervened to ensure the safety of the accused."From the moment the business man was picked up from Nedumbassery we were continuously followed by goons in vehicles till we reached Mananthavadi," says a police official on condition of anonymity. "The group was there till he got released on bail on Wednesday," he added.Granting of bail for Biju Karnan has already kicked up a row in legal circles here. Though the complainants withdrew the petition, the crime is still there as the case was charged against the accused on violation of Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act 1978, which is a crime against the economy of the state, it was pointed out.The complainants also had filed an affidavit in favour of the accused at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court I, Kalpetta, in favouring the bail plea, it is learnt.Bowed to pressure from top, the Public Prosecutor as well as the police didn't oppose the bail plea in the court, it is learnt.