Ernakulam’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) arrested two people in charge of trying to deceive the Kollam-based businessman, demanding him to demand Rs 2 crore to get him out of the Enforcement Bureau (ED).
The arrests were Thammanam from Rajasthan and Mukesh Jain aka Murali Wilson. Wilson was arrested when a businessman in Panamppilly Nagar received Rs 2 million. Mukesh was arrested based on information presented by Wilson.
“Mukesh Jain is suspected of having a link to Hawala. He is the person who arranges bank accounts outside Kerala, where the businessman was asked to deposit Rs 2 crore of shares into Rs 5 lakh per person at Rs 4,” the VACB source said.
The businessman, who is exporting to African countries to African countries, reportedly suffered a difficult time during the pandemic, when he claimed he was deceived by Africans. Soon, ED initiated an inquiry and he was summoned for interrogation. However, it is not known whether ED has registered the case against him.
“It was at that moment that Wilson contacted him and offered to remove him from the radar of the ED,” the VACB source said.
At that time, the merchant approached the VACB. Initially, in law enforcement agencies, he deposited Rs 50,000 instead of Rs 2 lakh in his account to track it when withdrawn. However, it was never withdrawn and Wilson demanded payment in cash.
The defendants were scheduled under Section 7A of the Corruption Prevention Act (to attempt to directly or indirectly influence the civil servants, by providing or accepting improper advantages, to induce improper or dishonest performance of public obligations) and Bharatiya Nyaya Section 61(2) Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy). The defendant was born in court and was remanded in judicial custody.
publishing – May 17, 2025 01:59 AM IST
