Kerala: Kodiyeri, Kappen deny Shibu Baby John's charges

Thiruvananthapuram: The corruption allegation levelled by UDF leader Shibu Baby John has been refuted by CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, newly-elect Pala MLA Mani C Kappen and Mumbai-based industrialist Dinesh Menon.

The UDF leader had levelled serious allegation of corruption against CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and his son by publishing a statement in social media allegedly given by Kappen to CBI in which Kappen said that he had introduced industrialist Menon to Balakrishnan at the time when Kannur Airport shares were going to be issued.

“Later, I came to know that he made some payment to purchase shares of Kannur International Airport Limited,” said the alleged statement of Kappen which was published by Shibu Baby John.

However, Kappen denied that he had given any such statement to the CBI. “There is no such case before the CBI and I have never given any such statement. The statement shown by Shibu is a fabricated one,” said Kappen.

He said an officer in the rank of SP from the CBI had threatened him under the influence of the industrialist. “I had given a complaint to the CBI director against this officer and I came to know that he was suspended from service after that,’’ said Kappen. He denied the allegation that Kodiyeri was given money by the industrialist for purchasing Kannur airport shares.

According to Kappen, he had contacted Menon who had showed interest in becoming his partner by buying more land in Meghalaya, apart from the land Kappen was holding. “For this, an advance of Rs 1.85 crore was given. However, the purchase did not happen. Later, when an amount of Rs 3.5 crore, inclusive of the interest amount, was demanded by Menon, an amount of Rs 25 lakh was returned. A cheque was given for the remaining amount. However, the amount could not be given due to financial crisis. Menon had filed a case in a Mumbai court regarding this. This was made clear in my affidavit submitted for the byelection,” said Kappen.

However, Menon said it was Kappen who took Rs 3.5 crore from him for purchasing the shares. “Later, the director board of KIAL denied the allotment of shares to my company. When I asked the money back Kappen gave me Rs 25 lakh and cheques for the remaining amount. But these cheques returned,’’ Menon told reporters in New Delhi.

When Kappen was contacted to get the money back, he promised to give a plot in Kumarakom. “But, he cheated me once again, when I came to know that he had pledged this land with Kottayam Agriculture Rural Bank and has taken Rs 75 lakh. Hence, I filed a cheating case against him,’’ said the industrialist.

Menon made it clear that even though he had met the then home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan there was no cash transactions made with him. “I have never met him after that. It was just a courtesy call as I had come to Thiruvananthapuram to attend the meeting of the Kannur airport,” he said.

While pointing out that the CBI has registered a case against Kappen following his complaint, Menon said the trial is all set to begin in the case. “I had approached the CBI since Kannur airport is a central government institution. Kappen has cheated me by promising shares in the airport,” he added.

However, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan denied all such allegations. “Already Kappen and the industrialist have denied the allegations. Then what more should I say,’’ he asked.

But Shibu is firm that the statement published was the one given by Kappen before the CBI. “I still stand by it. Balakrishnan and the then party secretary Pinrayi Vijayan will have to make their stand clear on this now,’’ he said.

(With inputs from Kottayam)