Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) state president Thushar Vellappally has been arrested in Ajman, UAE, in a cheque-bouncing case. Thushar is the son of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan.
Thushar is currently lodged in Ajman Central Jail. He was arrested after a cheque for 1 crore dirhams (Rs 19 crore) issued to a partner was dishonoured. Ajman is an emirate in the UAE.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday wrote to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking his intervention in the matter of Thushar's arrest.
In the letter, a copy of which was released to the media, Vijayan expressed concern about the well-being and health of Thushar Vellappally.
"News channels have reported the arrest of Shri Thushar Vellappally, vice president of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, at Ajman in United Arab Emirates. I express concern about his well-being and health while in custody. All possible help within the limits of law needs to be made available to him. I request your kind personal attention and intervention in this regard," Vijayan said in the letter to Jaishankar.
Media reports suggest that the cheque-bouncing case involving a Keralite petitioner, Nazil Abdullah, is around 10 years old. The dishonoured cheque was handed over to the partner when Thushar's debt-ridden business in Ajman, Boeing Constructions, was dissolved. Nazil led a case against Thushar four days ago.
The police arrested Thushar during a negotiation meeting at a hotel. The petitioner had invited Thushar to the meeting on the pretext of settling the case out of court. The Ajman Police, however, has not released any information on the arrest.
Thushar had contested against former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in the recent Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad constituency as the candidate of BDJS, an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in Kerala.
Vellappally Natesan said that his son was “trapped” on the pretext of negotiation. “We'll face this issue legally,” Natesan added.
Since it is an economic offence case, Thushar can be released only if the case is settled or the petitioner withdraws the case. Efforts to secure his release are on.
