Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Sep 16: Crime branch has conducted questioning of BJP Kerala state president K Surendran on Thursday over allegations of him paying bribe to BSP candidate to withdraw nominations. Surendran who presented himself at Kasargod guest house was questioned by the district crime branch officials. They have gathered details during the enquiry that lasted for hours.

K Surendran who had contested from Manjeshwar for Kerala Vidhan Sabha elections during April had allegedly paid cash and handed over items to BSP candidate K Sunder. BJP leaders had visited the residence of Sunder and handed over Rs two lac cash and mobile phone. He was also promised a new house and a bar license in Mangaluru if Surendran wins the elections. K Sunder had himself made the matter public after a month of elections.

Badiadka station police had registered a case in this connection and started investigations. The case was later transferred to the crime branch.

The case against K Surendran was registered on orders from Kasargod court on the basis of a complaint by V V Rameshan. Only K Surendran was identified as the accused in the case. Therefore the team of investigators collected details from K Sunder, his mother Bedji, BJP Manjeshwar Vidhan Sabha block committee president Manikanta Rai, Yuva Morcha state leader Sunil Naik, V Balakrishna Shetty and other district level leaders at various stages. K Surendran is being questioned three months after registration of the case.

I do not know who K Sunder is – K Surendran to investigating officers.

“I do not know BSP candidate K Sundera who has made a statement that I paid a bribe. The case is politically motivated. I have not stayed in the hotel at Talipadpu where the application to withdraw nomination was signed as stated by Sunder, he stated to the investigating officers.

Surendran was questioned for more than one and a half hours to collect details in the leadership of Dy SP Sathish Kumar.