Whatsapp chat reveals Monson’s link with top cop
KOCHI: Links connecting fraudster Monson Mavunkal and top officers of Kerala police came to light following the expose’ of the Whatsapp chat between IG (Inspector General) G Lakshmana and Anitha Pullayil, the Italian based Keralite who allegedly introduced the fake antique dealer to officers in uniform.
Anitha passed the information of Monson’s arrest to the IG as evident from the chat on 25 September. She also told the IG that former DGP Loknath Behera had expressed doubts regarding Monson’s credentials two years back. The Crime Branch police on Friday collected digital evidence, including the chat by Anitha Pullayil.
The chat started on September 25 around 9.30 pm ater the arrest of Monson in the antique fraud case.
The screenshots of the chats taken on the day of Monson’s arrest, September 25, and September 26 were recovered from Anitha’s phone. The messages from Laxmana were deleted ater being read.
The Traffic IG’S reply when Anitha informed him of Monson’s arrest is seen deleted. Anitha expressed her gratitude for sharing information with her.
Apparently, the IG thanked her for the information on Monson’s arrest and for the word of caution following the message. Anitha adds that she will update Laxmana with more details the next day. She also warns the IG that Monson’s accomplice Nidhi had a knack of embezzling people.
The chat has surfaced at a time when the Crime Branch was planning to interrogate Anitha. She introduced many influential people including former DGP Lokanath Behera to Monson.
Police suspect that Anitha is privy to many of Monson’s financial transactions. Laxmana was earlier accused of interacting with Monson on a regular basis.
He had allegedly requested the transfer of the financial fraud case of Rs6.5 crores from the district Crime Branch to Cherthala SHO. Email messages requesting the transfer was forwarded to the complainants by Monson.
The investigating team has also decided to examine Anitha’s financial dealings. She has been told to reach Kerala for recording her statement. Though she was known to be a close friend of Monson, police have not found any evidence to link her with Monson’s alleged fraudulent deals. Investigators would be recording her statement ater collecting more evidence.
The woman earlier admited that she had invited Behera and other officers to Monson’s residence at Kaloor here. She also claimed to have severed ties with him ater realising that he was a fraudster.