iPhone controversy: No clue about who received phones, Santhosh Eappen changes statement

Thiruvananthapuram: Unitac Builders MD Santhosh Eappen has changed his previous stance in connection with the iPhone controversy. He gave a statement, which was different from the affidavit filed in the high court, to the vigilance. He did a volte-face from the stand that the iPhones which he gave to gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh was given to Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and others.

Santhosh Eappen stated that he was not aware of anything about the iPhones other than what Swapna Suresh had told him and that he has no clue about who received the iPhones. Earlier, he had stated in an affidavit submitted at the high court that he gave iPhones as requested by Swapna Suresh and these were distributed to Ramesh Chennithala and others. However, Santhosh Eappen changed his statement to the vigilance.

Ramesh Chennithala had sent a legal notice to Eappen demanding to withdraw the statement and apologize to him publicly. He also lodged a complaint with the DGP demanding to trace the iPhone which is said to have been handed over to him. However, he did not receive a favourable response in this regard. With this, Chennithala warned to move legally against the issue following which Santhosh Eappen changed his stance.