The State Government appears to be backtracking from the crack down on Amway MLM fraud case, with the Union Minister Sachin Pilot expressing disappointment over the arrest of Amway CEO and directors in Kozhikode.
The State Government has deputed N Shanker Reddy, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), North Zone, to look into allegations that the Crime Branch showed ‘ugly hastiness’ in arresting the CEO and directors.
Talking to ‘Express’, Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said that the decision was taken in the wake of resentment expressed by Union Minister Sachin Pilot against the action taken by Kerala Police.
“There is no doubt that action should be taken if there is any violation of the law. But the sudden arrest of Amway officials, based on cases registered years ago, while they were here for another case appears unfair. The Union Ministry has also express discontent in this regard. Hence, ADGP North Zone has been entrusted to look into the circumstances that led to the arrest of these men,” he said.
“If the police wanted, they could have arrested the person soon after the case was registered.
By arresting the officials while they were here for another case, police has acted cheap. The Crime Branch SP, who led the action, is retiring on May 31. Why is it necessary that he should arrest Amway officials at any cost before his retirement?”, Thiruvanchoor said, when asked if the government action would send wrong signals.
“The government decision is likely to snowball into a controversy and dishearten police officials in the state. No law says that a person should be arrested within a stipulated time frame. Police would nab the accused when required.
The cases registered against Amway in Wayanad were in a state of neglect for years.
It was dusted off after complaints were registered against Amway recently,” said a police officer, on condition of anonymity.