Palakkad raid: CPM and BJP demand detailed investigation, allege illegal money brought to hotel

Palakkad: A comprehensive investigation should be conducted into the events at the hotel where Congress leaders were staying, following allegations that a large sum of money was brought in and then sneaked out, demanded CPM leader and Rajya Sabha MP AA Rahim. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Rahim claimed that two Congress MPs resorted to violence when the police attempted to intensify the raid.

“A huge sum of money was brought in, and an attempt was made to take it out. It needs to be verified whether the attempt was successful or not. Was the UDF candidate present at the time of the incident? Who else visited the hotel? Was a car seen leaving the premises under suspicious circumstances? Where did it go? These are questions that need answers, and a detailed investigation should be carried out into the phone calls received by the Congress leaders present at the hotel,” Rahim said.

"While Bindu Krishna and TV Rajesh cooperated with the inspection, when the police reached the room of Shanimol Usman, Congress workers blocked the inspection completely. The Vadakara MP even attacked media personnel. The MPs made provocative remarks against both the media and the police, creating a tense situation at the hotel for several hours," Rahim alleged.

"We believe Congress workers were trying to divert attention by creating a ruckus, which could have provided an opportunity to transfer black money and allow the people behind the operation to escape. A detailed investigation into this matter is necessary. At present, they are attempting to fabricate a narrative. Legal proceedings were obstructed by two MPs, and police officers were unlawfully detained in the hotel," Rahim added.

"Shanimol Usman physically assaulted female police officers. Why should they obstruct a police inspection? The LDF has lodged a complaint demanding a thorough investigation," Rahim stated.

Meanwhile, Yuva Morcha state president Praful Krishnan alleged that Feni, the individual previously accused of creating fake identity cards during the Youth Congress organisational elections, was the one who brought the illegal money in a suitcase to the hotel. "Feni is a close associate of Rahul Mamkoottathil, and it was he who brought the money to the hotel," Krishnan claimed.

"Black money was brought into the hotel. CCTV footage should be seized to gather further details. Two MPs arrived at the scene and created a distraction, which gave the culprits a chance to escape. Some police officials also appeared to be complicit. The MPs behaved like street goons, threatening both the police and the media," alleged C Krishnakumar, BJP candidate from Palakkad.