Former collector and wife booked over property grab of Koodathil family

Former bureaucrat and his wife on Tuesday (October 29) were booked by Kerala Police in connection with the death of seven members of the Koodathil family who died under mysterious circumstances over three decades.

According to a news report in Malayalam daily, Manorama, N Mohandas, former District Collector of Wayanad was accused of illegally transferring assets and money of the family while being the Tehsildar.

The Karamana police on Saturday (October 26) registered a case of cheating and forgery on Mohandas and his wife Maya Devi based on the report filed by district crime branch officials.

However, the former collector denied the allegations claiming that the property was inherited by his wife and he had no link with the will or court procedures.

Also read: 7 deaths over 26 years, cops probe another Kerala murder mystery

Police are also suspecting the family’s former caretaker Raveendran Nair, who allegedly gained control of the property.

Family helper Sahadevan, and others including Latha Devi, Shyam Kumar, Sarasa Devi, Sulochana Devi and TV Nair are also accused in the case.

An FIR has been submitted in the magistrate court against 12 people slapping non-bailable offences of conspiracy, cheating, forgery and issuing threats.

Attempts to trace land records are being made by the probe team to establish the alleged property grab while the revenue, registration and legal departments are requested to provide details regarding the same.

A 12 member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by DCP Mohammed Arif has been formed to investigate the case.