Monson Mavunkal | Photo: facebook.com|DrMonsonMavunkal
Kozhikode: The Crime Branch probe on the frauds committed by self-styled fake Kerala antique dealer Monson Mavunkal is in full swing. However, a few among the legal experts in the state are dubious about the effectiveness of the charges framed against him. They said the existing charges are not strong enough to hook him as there are loopholes for him to easily dodge legal framework. The high-profile links of Monson Mavunkal cast concerns over probe’s efficiency as pictures of him with top cops and politicians surfaced hours after his arrest.
At present, there are five cases against him with the Crime Branch; two in Ernakulam and three in Thiruvananthapuram. Charges have been framed against him under IPC sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonesty inducing delivery of property), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (Using a forged document or electronic record as a genuine one for fraud). These cases were registered on complaints given by people who were cheated by Monson Mavunkal.
“These cases are on the basis of complaints and there is no guarantee that these complainants will stick to their allegation till the end of the probe. After all, he reportedly cheated many by claiming that he was in possession of may precious and rare antiques. He did not produce any record of it. He sold items for price, that he fixed and it is not legally punishable. I am not trivialising the crime committed by Monson. But to bring him under the spotlight, a scientific investigation is needed and a thorough probe has to be held to go deeper into the hidden and unseen aspects of the crime,” said Advocate Boris Paul, former secretary of Kollam Bar Association. He also said that only a CBI probe can bring out truths behind the curtain and all high-profile links in the case.
In the meantime, a court here on Tuesday remanded Monson Mavunkal in Crime Branch custody till October seven. The prosecution’s demand for a thorough probe into the fraud associated with Wayanad estate has been accepted by court.
The Crime Branch informed the court that there are mysteries in his financial dealings and transactions were done in others’ account. Only a thorough probe can reveal truth. The Ernakulum unit of Crime Branch has registered two cases against Monson. Once the questioning associated with the cases in Kochi is over, the Thiruvananthapuram unit will take him into custody for further questioning.
Putting aside all allegations and concern over the effectiveness of the probe, a top official of Crime Branch told Mathrubhumi.com that, “Concerns on the effectiveness of the probe are unnecessary and baseless. We are not trivialising the crime but organising an effective probe to expose all hidden truths. Coming days will be turbulent as there could be more revelations and cases over his alleged frauds. Court denied him bail recently. It alone is enough to understand the effectiveness of Crime Branch probe.”
He also said that the involvement of top-cops and other high-profile politicians would not hinder probe. “Crime Branch has a good track record and the demand for a CBI probe is unnecessary. Those who call for a CBI probe, should examine Balabhaskar and Unnithan case. The CBI has not produced anything more than the findings in the Crime Branch report. In Monson’s case, there will not be any compromise as we will do all possible legal measures to avoid his escape.”
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