THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: City-wide raids as part of ‘Operation Kuber’, the campaign launched by the State police against loan sharks, will continue for at least five more days, said City Police Commissioner H Venkatesh.
‘’The future direction of Thiruvananthapuram city-level ‘Operation Kuber’ will be according to the information received and the complaints filed against the money lenders who charge exorbitant rates. As of now we have around 15 complaints with us,’’ the Commissioner said. He added that action based on these complaints will be taken this week.
The Commissioner said that a complaint has been filed against a police official, who is allegedly involved with the illegal money lending, as part of ‘Operation Kuber’ in the city limits. He added that the suspected police official is under surveillance of the investigation team. Asked about the allegations of political involvement in illegal money lending business, Venkatesh said that the actions were taken without considering the political leanings of any of the accused.
‘’We haven’t gone through the political background of the accused during investigation or after that. Further action will be taken based on the complaints and the evidence against them’’ he added.
The ‘Operation Kuber’ which started last week was launched in the wake of the suicide of a five-member family near Cherumukkolakkal here. As of now, around 60 cases had been registered against the loan sharks in the city limits.
The cases have been registered under the Kerala Money Lending Act and the Exorbitant Interest Act. During the citywide raids, police seized various documents including vehicle registration certificates, title deeds, blank cheques, promissory notes as well as cash. A sword was seized from a government employee’s house in Medical College area during a raid.
The commissioner said that the raids will continue even after this week if the police get complaints against the illegal money lenders charging exorbitant interest rates.