Monson Admits Antiques Are Fake, Kerala High Court Says Accused High Connections with Top Cops Needs Closer Scrutiny
(Judicial Quest News Network)
The Kerala High Court on Thursday said that police authorities, including the State Police Chief Must conduct a through investigation into the fake antiques scam in view of the fact that the former driver of the accused Monson Mavunkal has alleged that Mavunkal has links with police officials in the State.
A single Judge Justice Devan Ramachandran made these observations in a petition filed by the former driver of Monson.
The Court has also asked the State Police Chief to be impleaded in the matter to conduct an elaborate probe into the grave allegations put forth by the petitioner against some of the superior police officials and their alleged links with bogus collectors.
The Court also remarked.
“When this petition was filed in August, not a single soul knew about Mavunka.Now the allegations raised in the petition have acquired a new colour, and the entire world knows about him.”
The Court granted the petitioner police protection by directing
The commissioner of police to ensure that the life of the petitioner is protected adequately and that necessary enquiries are made into any threats made against him.
This is in the light of the fact that Mavunkal had recently made headlines in the State after his antique scam was busted by the Crime Branch pursuant to a complaint of cheating filed against him.
Pertinently, the Court remarked that the petitioner’s allegations seem to have expanded to insinuate that Mavunkal has associated with top police officials and therefore impleaded the State police Chief so that he can be directed to conduct an enquiry
“This Writ Petition was filed on 11.08.2021
but in the last few days the allegations of the
petitioner have certainly acquired a new colour.
I am, therefore, certain that the assertions
of the petitioner will require to be closely
looked into by the competent Police Authorities,
including the State Police Chief, particularly
because investigation is stated to be proceeding
against the 5th respondent on various grievous
allegations.
I, therefore, permit the petitioner to
implead the State Police Chief in the party
array,”
Monson Mavunkal has gained notoriety across the State as news reports surfaced that he allegedly conned several peole of over 10Crores through his antiques/
Thereafter, his former driver, the petitioner in this case, approached the Kerala High Court. Through Advocate Philip.T. Varghese and Thomas.T.Vargehse.
He sought protection from his former boss after he had disclosed some
Information regarding Mavunkal’s scam to the police
The Court asserted that the matter must be looked into with seriousness and impleaded the State police Chief as a respondent in the matter.
Additionally, it was also submitted that when he informed the District Police Chief of Alappuzha and the Commissioner of police Ernakulam about the alleged harassment, no action was taken till date.
Meanwhile, the petitioner alleged that the CI and SHO were still continuing with their intimidatory tactics.
He added that the disclosure he made were in connection with a cheating compliant made against Mavunkal by the complainant who had accused the dealer of cheating him of Rs.6 crores.
Mavunkal, who widely claimed to be in possession of historic antiques including Tippu Sultann’s throne and Jesus Christ’s clothing was arrested by the Crime branch recently for swindling Rs.10 Crores from several people
The case will be heard again on Oct 5, 2021.
