Kerala CPI(M) leader’s son figures in Dubai cheating case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major embarrassment to the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s son, Binoy Kodiyeri, allegedly figured in a cheating case in Dubai and the complainant, a travel firm, has threatened to approach the Interpol to get him arrested.

But Binoy said the case had been settled four years ago. He added there was no case pending against him. His father Balakrishnan also maintained that no case was pending against his son in Dubai.

“It is nothing to do with the party. There is no case against him. He (Binoy) will reply to all allegations against him,” he said after a meeting with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The complaint, filed by the owner of the JAAS Tourism LLC Hasan Ismail Abdullah Almarzooqi, said Binoy had cheated his firm of ₹13 crore and fled to India.

A few months ago, the complaint said, the firm had tried to settle the case and that Balakrishnan promised to repay the amount but nothing happened.

When persisted for money, as per the complaint, Binoy issued three cheques to the firm but they all bounced. “Since the Dubai public prosecution proclaimed Mr Binoy Vinodhini Balakrishnan as a wilful defaulter in the UAE, the court had asked us to file an Interpol request so as to bring him back.”

The firm said it wants to recover ~13 crore from Binoy besides the interest and litigation expenses.

Sources in the party said the complaint letter was leaked in Delhi by some leaders to embarrass the Kerala unit that foiled the CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury’s move for an alliance with the Congress in the upcoming elections.

Yechury distanced himself from the controversy, saying “it has nothing do with the party.”

Opposition Congress and the BJP have sought a detailed probe into charges against Binoy.

BJP general secretary K Surendran said he will move the enforcement directorate soon.