Kochi: Police have registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against four people, including a senior BJP leader, in connection with the alleged half-price scooter and laptop CSR fund scam, officials said on Friday.

The case relates to claims that members of an NGO cheated people by falsely promising scooters, laptops and other goods at half price, citing funding support from corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.

FIR details

An FIR has been filed under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against four individuals, including BJP leader A N Radhakrishnan.

According to the complaint, a woman paid ₹63,500 in May 2024 to representatives of the NGO Society for Integrated Growth of the Nation (SIGN) after being promised a scooter, which was never delivered.

Police clarification

Police said Radhakrishnan’s name was included based on the complainant’s statement that he is allegedly associated with SIGN.

“However, no money was directly handed over to him or deposited into his account, according to our preliminary investigation. A probe has been launched,” an officer at Thrikkakara police station said.

Radhakrishnan has not yet responded to the allegations and could not be reached for comment.

Multiple complaints across the state

Authorities said several similar complaints have been registered across the state, with Anandu Krishnan and K N Ananthakumar, chairman of the National NGO Confederation, named as the main accused in many cases.

Complainants allege that beneficiaries were promised laptops, two-wheelers and sewing machines, with claims that half the cost would be covered by NGO or CSR funds, while recipients paid the remaining amount.

Police said investigations are ongoing into the alleged CSR scam and NGO fraud network.

PTI