The Hindu : Shobhana George's private secretary held

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 29, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Shobhana George's private secretary held

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Sept. 28. The Crime Branch has arrested Anil. P. Sreerangam, private secretary of Shobhana George, MLA, who is being investigated in connection with the alleged forgery of a letter purportedly written by the DGP (Intelligence) to the private secretary of the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, stating that the Fisheries Minister, K. V. Thomas, was involved in a Rs 336-crore hawala deal.

A Crime Branch team that reached the house of Shobhana George at Aakulam early on Saturday morning effected the arrest of Anil. At the time of the arrest, the MLA was present at the house along with her husband. The Crime Branch team had arrived at the MLA's house at 7 a.m. with the intention of arresting Anil. P. Sreerangam and Thaniniram reporter, R. Jayachandran. An official said that Jayachandran managed to give the team the slip in a green Maruti car bearing Alappuzha district registration plates. The car was driven by Shobhana George's driver, Santosh. Mr. Jayachandran had reportedly left Shobhana's house early stating that he had to visit some temples.

Police sources said that a State-wide manhunt has been launched to arrest Jayachandran. Meanwhile, there were unconfirmed reports that police were searching certain properties owned by industrialist K. C. Babu, at Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Alappuzha for the missing Thaniniram reporter. Mr. Babu is among the persons being investigated by the Crime Branch in connection with the alleged forgery of the intelligence letter.

According to Crime Branch sources, Anil was being subjected to "detailed and intense interrogation'' at the Crime Branch office near Pandit's colony. He was yet to be produced before the court. An official said that the Crime Branch was verifying certain discrepancies in the statements given by Anil and Jayachandran. They were also recording the detailed statement of Anil.

The investigating agencies suspect that Jayachandran and Anil know about the alleged forging of the intelligence letter. The Crime Branch is also trying to ascertain the identity of the two persons who delivered the letter to the Surya TV office, the private television channel which first reported the existence of such a document. The Surya TV receptionist had given a fairly good description of the two persons to the Crime Branch. The identification of these two persons would clinch the case for the Crime Branch. It would also lead the investigators to those who forged the document, the official said.

According to Crime Branch sources, several more persons, including two journalists, were being investigated by the Crime Branch in connection with the case. The team is also trying ascertain who were the persons who delivered the "forged'' letter to other newspaper and television channel offices in the city.

Meanwhile, Shobhana George, told reporters that the Crime Branch had "trespassed'' into her house and "damaged'' property including some flower vases. She said that she would seek legal recourse against the "unjustified'' actions of the Crime Branch officials.

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