Ex-Mizoram Governor, others booked in cheating case

Rajasekharan is the fourth accused in the case, police said. Strongly rejecting the allegations, Rajasekharan said he was wrongly named in a "politically motivated" case. All the nine are named as accused in the case, police said.

Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan

The Kerala police on Thursday registered a case against senior BJP leader and former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan and others in a complaint of financial cheating allegedly involving his former personal assistant.

The case was registered on the basis of a complaint by C R Harikrishnan, a native of Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district. The complainant said that Rajasekharan’s former personal aide, Praveen, and another person named Vijayan had allegedly pocketed Rs 28.75 lakh by promising to make him a partner in a business venture.

The police have registered the FIR under IPC Sections 406 and 420, arraigning Praveen as the first accused and Rajasekharan as the fifth. Others named in the FIR are Praveen’s business partner Vijayan, his wife Krishaveni and BJP NRI cell chairman Harikumar.

Calling the case politically motivated, Rajasekharan said, “I do not know anything about the financial dealings. The police have registered the FIR against me without conducting a preliminary probe.”

According to the FIR, Harikrishnan had given Rs 35 lakh to Praveen when Rajasekharan was the Governor. As the promised venture did materialise, Harikrishnan demanded his investment back, but Praveen and his partner Vijayan, of Kollamkode in Palakkad, allegedly failed to return the amount.

According to the complaint, Harikrishnan approached BJP leaders for a mediation. Subsequently, the complaint states, the duo returned Rs 6.25 lakh, ostensibly at the intervention of BJP NRI cell chairman Harikumar and other rounds of mediation.

Harikrishnan, in his complaint, said he was approaching the police since Praveen and Vijayan refused to return the remaining Rs 28.75 lakh despite repeated interventions over the last two years.

Story continues below this ad

Rajasekharan said, “The CPI(M) is trying to politically capitalise the issue… The proposed venture was envisaged to make paper cotton mix, as a substitute for plastic. As it is pro-environment, I have only encouraged the concept – I haven’t asked anyone to invest money.”

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram