Kasargod (Kerala): A police case has been registered against the state president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), K Surendran, on charges of bribing an opposing candidate for withdrawing nomination in the recently concluded state elections. The case was registered at Badiyadukka police station in Kasargod.
Earlier today a Judicial First Class Magistrate Court had granted permission to police to file an FIR against the state BJP chief. The order was issued after the court heard a petition filed by VV Ramesan, a left candidate from Manjeswaram. However, the order also said the arrest of the accused should not be made without the prior permission of the court.
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The court gave permission to register a case against Surendran and conduct an inquiry into the revelations by K Sundara, a BSP candidate from Manjeswaram. Sundara had alleged that he was given Rs 2.5 lakh to withdraw his nomination. The court has authorised the police to move with proceedings under Section 171B of the Indian Penal Code. The case will be charged against Surendran on the charges of bribery to sabotage the election. After Sundara's revelation, VV Ramesan lodged a complaint with the district police chief, seeking an inquiry into the incident. Police had on Sunday completed the preliminary steps, including recording Sundara's statement.
Sundara had revealed that Surendran contacted him over the phone and allegedly offered Rs. 15 lakh and a smartphone if he withdrew his candidature. Further, he alleged, the BJP promised him a wine parlor in Mangaluru, a coastal city of Karnataka neighbouring Kasaragod, if Surendran won the polls. "However, later, some BJP members arrived at my residence and gave me only Rs 2.5 lakh and a smartphone," he was quoted saying.
Also Read: 'I withdrew nomination against BJP chief as he promised me Rs 15 lakh': Kerala BSP candidate
