Kerala ex-minister arrested in Palarivattom flyover scam

KOCHI: In an expected move, state Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau ( VACB) team on Wednesday arrested former minister for Public Works and senior Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) legislator VK Ebrahim Kunju in the infamous Palarivatom flyover scam.

The Vigilance investigation team arrived at the residence of Ebrahim Kunju, the fith accused in the case, at Aluva in the morning. However, he was not present in the house. The 10-member team headed by the DYSP was told the MLA was admited to a private hospital in Kochi for treatment.

The team reached Lakeshore Hospital, where the former minister was admited on Tuesday, and recorded his arrest.

Ebrahim Kunju was interrogated on three occasions in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials had questioned him earlier in connection with the case.

Ebrahim Kunju moved the Vigilance Court for bail on Wednesday saying that he is a cancer patient.

In his bail application, he also alleged that his arrest was politically motivated and the probe team failed to collect evidence against him ater repeated questioning and raid.

As local body elections are scheduled for next month, the arrest of a senior Muslim League leader might dent the chances of United Democratic Front (UDF) led by Congress, especially when the front has declared ‘Against Corruption’ as its poll theme.

Ruling Let Democratic Front (LDF) government is facing a series of allegations linked to diplomatic baggage gold smuggling, LIFE Mission housing scheme scam and arrest of a senior CPIM leader’s son in drug case.

Within just two-and-a-half-years of operation, the 750-metre-long bridge, built at a cost of Rs42 crore, began to develop faults and cracks. A team from the IIT Madras had found several cracks in the girders and pillars.

The Palarivatom flyover was inaugurated on October 12, 2016. The flaws in the flyover were detected in July 2017 and the facility was closed for traffic on May 1, 2019 owing to safety concerns.

Muslim League national general secretary PK Kunhalikuty, MP, alleged that the arrest of former minister Ebrahim Kunju was politically motivated.

“This is exactly what LDF Convenor had earlier said - ‘preparing a list of persons to be arrested’.