Kasaragod : BJP State President K Surendran was summoned by Vigilance for questioning in connection with bribing Manjeswaram candidate, K Sundara, with Rs 2.5 crores for withdrawing his candidacy in state elections held in April this year. The questioning began 11 am morning.
The probe is based on order from Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Kasaragod following K Sundara’s revelation of accepting the said bribe. K Surendran is prime accused in the case and charged with attempting to sabotage elections. According to K Sundra - whose name closely resembles that of K Surendran - was paid Rs 15 lakhs and promised a house and wine shop in Karnataka.
BJP leaders who arrived at Sundara’s home on 21 March accosted him away. They later restrained him at their booth committee office in Pavalagia, Jodkhal and threatened him to pull back his nomination papers. There they paid Sundara Rs 2 crore in bribe.
Next day BJP leaders forced him to sign application for the nomination withdrawal at a hotel in Taliparuppu he was lodged in. Later, accompanied by BJP men, Sundara arrived at Kasaragod Collectorate and withdrew his nomination. K Sundra recorded his secret testimony with Munsif Court in Kanhangad. Crime Branch had questioned former BJP District Presidents K Balakrishnana Shetty and Suresh KumarShetty, former Yuva Morcha Treasurer Sunil Naik and leaders Suresh Naik, K Manikant Rai, and Mualreedhara Yadav in connection with the bribery.
