The Forest Department officials investigating about tusks found from film actor Mohanlal’s home interrogated P N Krishnakumar, owner of one of the tusks, recently. Krishnakumar had returned from Dubai a few weeks ago due to health issues and his statement was recorded by the Forest Department officials at his house at Kodungallur.
According to officials, Krishnakumar told them that he had given the tusk to Mohanlal before he left for Dubai a few years ago.
“One of the tusks was given to Mohanlal by Krishnakumar for safely protecting it in his absence. The tusk was of an elephant owned by his father and it expired in 1985. But Krishnakumar also does not know the age of the tusk as it was inherited from his father with all right documents. He submitted that Mohanlal is one of his close friends and he gave it to him without taking money in return,” the official said. But officials said that they have to interrogate Krishnakumar again as they are yet to receive all the details of the tusk. “We will further conduct inquiry as his version can’t be fully believed. More investigation is required to check whether the tusk was sold to Mohanlal. If it is sold then it’s illegal,” said an official.
According to B N Nagaraj, Divisional Forest Officer, Kodanad, K Krishnakumar, owner of the other tusk, will also be quizzed soon. “We have informed him to appear before us as part of the investigation. He will arrive from Dubai within two weeks. After collecting his statement, the investigation in the case will be complete,” Nagaraj said. The Forest Department had submitted a report before the Perumbavoor Judicial Court that Mohanlal has no licence to possess the tusks and the ivories found from his house belonged to P N Krishnakumar and K Krishnakumar.