MALAPPURAM: In a startling turn of events, Perinthalmanna police have registered a case against retired High Court judge Ramachandran Nair — who heads the Munambam Commission — in the the half-price scam that primarily revolved around promises of scooters at discounted rates. The case cites his alleged role as patron of the National NGO Confederation, founded by Anandhu Krishnan, the prime accused in the scam.
Justice Ramachandran Nair refuted the charges, stating that the police filed the case without a preliminary investigation. He claimed the police acted on a false complaint, rendering the proceedings baseless.
The former judge said he was merely an advisor to the NGO Confederation, and not a patron or someone in any position of authority. He also expressed suspicion that the case might be connected to individuals who had attempted to disrupt the activities of the Munambam Commission.
The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Danimon, president of Kisan Service Society, Angadipuram, which was responsible for implementing the NGO Confederation’s schemes in Angadipuram.
‘I severed all ties with organisation in June 2024’
Ananthakumar, chairman of National NGO Confederation, and Anandhu Krishnan, its state secretary, and Ramachandran Nair have been named as the first and second and third accused respectively in the case. They have been charged with cheating and joint criminal liability.
The complaint alleges that NGO confederation, through the accused, collected Rs 34 lakh from the public between April and November 2024, promising to provide laptops, tailoring machines, and scooters at half the original price to 96 people in Angadipuram.
However, these commitments remain unfulfilled, said Danimon. “People trusted the National NGO Confederation because Ananthakumar and Justice Ramachandran Nair were associated with it. Both of them attended several programmes organised by the confederation.
Now, they claim to have had severed ties with it. If that is the case, they should have made a public announcement through a press conference or other means. A total of 96 people in Angadipuram lost their money believing in the NGO Confederation and those linked to it,” said Danimon.
Justice Ramachandran Nair told TNIE: “I resigned as an advisor and severed all ties with the organisation in June 2024 when I realised they were collecting money from the public. I’ve been implicated in this case simply because I opposed their improper activities.”
He clarified that while he knew Sai Gram director Ananthakumar, he had no direct connection with Ananthu Krishnan. “My only role was to welcome Ananthu Krishnan at a few meetings related to the confederation,” he added.
He also criticised the police for acting hastily. “The police action against me is deeply objectionable. It feels like they can defame anyone in public as they wish,” he said.