Kasargod, Sep 16, 2021: Kerala BJP President K Surendran appeared before the Crime Branch today in connection with a case of alleged bribery to persuade a BSP candidate to withdraw nomination during the previous Kerala Assembly election.
The Crime Branch had earlier served notice to Surendran asking him to appear in person. Surendran had contested the elections held in April from Manjeshwar constituency. He was questioned at a guest house in Kasargod.
Surendran is facing the charges of offering Rs 2 lakh cash and a mobile phone apart from other things to K Sunder who had contested as a BSP candidate from the Manjeshwar constiuency. It was alleged that Yuva Morcha state leader Sunil Naik and some party leaders had visited the Perla residence of Sunder to hand over cash and smart phone. They had also reportedly promised a bar license in Mangaluru if Surendran won. This was revealed by Sunder a month after elections. The CPM candidate from Manjeshwar VV Rameshan had lodged a police complaint in this regard. The case was eventually transferred to the Crime Branch.
The Crime Branch has already questioned Sunil Naik and some other BJP leaders in connection with this case.