Cash-for-job scam: Kerala police arrest Congress MLA Balakrishnan for abetting suicide of party functionary; granted bail

Kerala police on Saturday recorded the arrest of Congress legislator I.C. Balakrishnan for allegedly abetting the suicide of party functionary N.M. Vijayan in connection with cash-for-job scam. The MLA was released later as he was granted anticipatory bail by the Kalpetta court.

Police said the Congress MLA was questioned for two days in connection with the death of former Wayanad district Congress treasurer N.M. Vijayan and his son Jijesh, and recorded his arrest on Saturday. The Kalpetta Principal Sessions Court had granted anticipatory bail to Balakrishnan on condition that he cooperates with police questioning on January 23. 

With Balakrishnan’s arrest, investigators have recorded the arrest of all accused in the case. Kerala police had earlier arrested Wayanad District Congress Committee president N.D. Appachan and former DCC treasurer K.K. Gopinath in connection with the case. They too were released on anticipatory bail.

Vijayan and his son Jijesh attempted suicide over the alleged cash-for-job scam in the Congress-governed cooperative bank in Wayanad. As per the suicide note released by Vijayan’s family,  Balakrishnan took bribes for appointments at the Congress-controlled cooperative bank in Sultan Bathery.

The irregularities in the bank appointments were brought into the public eye following the suicide. In his four-page suicide note, Vijayan talks about his financial liabilities and how they fell on his shoulders. Vijayan also accused that his son was removed from his job in the bank so Balakrishnan could place someone of his own choosing in the position. Besides Balakrishnan’s name, the Wayanad DCC President Appachan’s name is also mentioned in the letter. The ruling CPI(M) has demanded the legislator’s resignation.