Kerala CM: 1,343 FIRs filed in ₹281 crore CSR scam
Scammers in Kerala duped thousands by falsely promising two-wheelers, laptops, and sewing machines at half price using CSR funds. They collected ₹281 crore from over 49,000 people but delivered only to a fraction.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan revealed these findings in the Assembly, citing the ongoing Crime Branch probe. He confirmed 1,343 FIRs, with 665 cases transferred to the Crime Branch.
Investigators found that the accused collected ₹9.22 crore from 36,891 people for laptops but delivered only 29,897. They took ₹23.24 crore from 56,052 people for sewing machines, delivering to just 53,478.
The scam operated through Socio-Economic and Environmental Development Society and NGO Confederation. Ananthu Krishnan and Ananda Kumar led the fraud, posing with influential figures to build trust. They claimed corporate and government funds backed their scheme.
Police arrested six, including Krishnan and Kumar, along with Ravi Panackal, P.P. Basheer, Riyas, and Muhammed Shafi. Authorities froze over 20 bank accounts and initiated court proceedings to seize three properties.
Vijayan assured that investigations were ongoing and hinted that political links could emerge as the probe progresses.
