Stephen Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (MS)
Kasargod, Nov 8: Manjeshwar MLA M C Qamaruddin, who is arrested in connection with the fraud case, is sent to 14 days of judicial custody. He was presented in front of Kanhangad magistrate. The inquiry of the bail application of Qamaruddin will be held on Monday, November 9.
The crime branch arrested Qamaruddin on the evening of Saturday, November 7 with regards to Fashion Gold jewellery fraud case. The crime branch police, who had called Qamaruddin for interrogation on the morning of Saturday to the office of SP arrested him later.
Nearly 800 depositors have cheated to the tune of Rs 150 crore. 115 complaints are already filed by individuals. Police informed that managing director T K Pookoya Thangal is absconding. He was supposed to attend a hearing on Saturday but he did not turn up.
Fashion Gold International started in 2006 as a Chandera centre. Eminent personalities of politics and society were involved in the formation of the company. Nearly 800 people invested Rs 150 crore. Many deposited cash while some deposited their gold. The depositors were given part of the profit in the beginning. However, from the last one year, the dividend stopped. In a few months time, one by one the branches of the company were locked. Out of panic, the depositors approached the police. The fraud cases are registered in Kasargod, Chandera and Payyanur police stations.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has decided to take disciplinary action on Qamaruddin, who is arrested by the police on the accusation of fraud case. There is a possibility that he may be suspended from the party. It is said that the party is mulling to get a resignation from Qamaruddin for the position of MLA. As soon as the allegations were heard against Qamaruddin, he was removed from the positions of Muslim League district president and UDF district president.
An emergency meeting of Muslim League will be held on Sunday, November 8 to take disciplinary action against the tainted MLA.
This case is being discussed intensely in political circles of the state. It is said that the arrest of Qamaruddin might be a setback to UDF in the local body elections which are going to be held next month and legislative assembly elections which are slated to be held in few months time. This case will be the main weapon for the political rivals of UDF in the coming elections.