Karuna music concert: More evidence of fraudulence comes out

Kochi: More evidence of fraudulence regarding the Karuna Music concert has been uncovered. Now, a letter sent by the Regional Sports Centre (RSC) to Kochi Music Foundation, organisers of the event, has come to light.

The letter from RSC sought details of the fund transferred to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). However, the Kochi Music Foundation did not respond to the letter.

The music concert to raise fund for CMDRF was organised in Kochi on November 1, 2019. But the organisers did not transfer any amount to the CMDRF even after the event. Observing this, the Regional Sports Centre had sent a letter to the organisers on January 3, 2020.

The Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, which is managed by the Regional Sports Centre was the venue of the event.

“We allotted the stadium for free of cost as you claimed that the event was a fundraising programme for CMDRF. We would like to know whether you have made the payment to CMDRF. If not, provide us the details,” reads the letter from RSC.

After RTI documents on February 6, 2020 revealed that no payment has been made to CMDRF, the organisers transferred the funds to the CMDRF on February 14. Providing an explanation, the organisers claimed that they had sought time relaxation from the district collector till March 31 to transfer the funds.

However, the Kochi Music Foundation had not informed this to the Regional Sports Centre or any of the authorities. If the organisers had sought more time, they were bound to inform the same to the Regional Sports Centre in response to their letter.

It is observed that the police have got enough evidence to register a case against the organisers. it must be noted that the Ernakulam district collector had filed a police complaint against Kochi Music Foundation over the concert. The complaint is being examined by the City Police Commissioner.