KOCHI: In a fresh revelation likely to have serious implications, a petition seeking police protection filed before the Kerala High Court and the Chief Minister by real estate broker V A Rajeev - who was found murdered in Chalakkudy - has surfaced alleging harassment by advocate C P Udayabhanu. Rajeev had also lodged complaints with the police alleging harassment and threat by Udayabhanu. Rubbishing the reports, Udayabhanu said the allegations levelled against him are part of a larger ploy hatched by detractors to wreak vengeance on him. The petition was filed in June and it was disposed of by the court. “The petition was filed after I lodged a cheating case with the police against Rajeev,” he said.
Rajeev, 46, Nayathodu, was found smothered to death inside an abandoned building at Chalakkudy on Friday. In the petitions filed by Rajeev and his son V R Akhil, they submitted the police had been harassing them on several occasions at the instance of Udayabhanu. Rajeev had stated he engaged the advocate as his counsel in a case and he had helped him secure anticipatory bail for him in the case. Frequent visits to his office led him to show interest in real estate investment and the advocate had extended all help to him.
The advocate entered into agreements for purchasing certain properties by paying advance amounts to the tune of `20 lakh and `60 lakh for the plots in Angamaly and Chittoor, Palakkad respectively. But, later, he could not raise money for paying the balance amount and the sale deed could not be executed. The advocate once compelled the deceased Rajeev to complete the transaction which he refused as he could not raise such huge amounts. The advocate was infuriated and threatened Rajeev, the complaint stated.
Meanwhile, the advocate became friendly with C O Johny of Angamaly, a rival real estate broker. Later, Johny instigated by Udayabhanu raised false allegations against Rajeev about the real estate business. He also levelled allegations against two others - Ranjith Antony and Santhosh from Angamaly. “They have threatened me stating my days are numbered and unless I settle the complaint of Udayabhanu, even a quotation gang’s services will be arranged to get me bumped off or cause grievous hurt to someone in my family to teach me a lesson. Total strangers are knocking at my house during odd hours in my absence and threatening my family,” according to the complaint lodged with the police.