Thiruvananthapuram, October 25 (IANS) A day before the criminal police wing submitted its report to the Kerala High Court on the progress of the investigation into the fake antiquarian case, statements from the former state police chief Loknath Behra and police on duty. officials – Director General of the Supplementary Police Manoj Abraham and Police IG G. Lekshmana – were taken away

Eyebrows were raised shortly after the arrest of Monson Mavunkal, 54, by police from the Crime Directorate of his home museum, last month after victims approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to ask complaining of having been swindled of Rs 10 crore by this master ‘fraud’, who even managed to give a tour to the highest officials of the Kerala police.

Behra retired in June of this year.

Photos of Behra and Abraham visiting the Mavunkal “museum” have gone viral on social media and these photos were taken a few years ago.

Following widespread criticism that the Kerala police received even from the High Court, which expressed doubts about the usefulness of the ongoing police investigation and the opposition attack on the government of Pinarayi Vijayan, the investigation team decided to leave nothing to chance.

Senior crime officials have taken the statement from Behra, Abraham and Lekshmana and will be filed in court during Tuesday’s hearing.

Mavunkal is said to have sponsored a high-profile cyberconference organized by the Kerala police a few years ago when Behra was the head of the state police.

Mavunkal, took all of his distinguished guests into his fold by showcasing antiques in his collection which he said included the “Rod of Moses” and “two of the 30 pieces of silver that were taken by Judas to deceive Jesus- Christ ”.

Police said he presented these “rare” items – a throne believed to have been used by Tipu Sultan, as well as a huge collection of old Qurans, Bibles (Old Testament and New Testament) and old handwritten copies of the Bhagavad Gita.

Mavunkal used to bring several VIPs to his lavish residence, part of which has been turned into a museum to house his “precious” antiques.

Mavunkal is currently in judicial custody.

–IANS

sg / dpb