Kannur: The row over the suicide of businessman Sajen Parayil here last month has took a new turn. The relatives of his driver, named Mansoor, suspect that he is likely being a made scapegoat in the case apparently to help CPM politicians and officials of the Anthoor municipality ruled by the left party.
The builder, who had returned from abroad, had committed suicide over the delay in getting municipal nod for a convention centre he had built within the jursidiction of the Anthoor municipality.
Relative said Mansoor, also a businessman in Dubai, was being cornered in the case by the police to prove that Sajen had committed suicide over family feud. Mansoor's kin is planning to take legal action over this move.
The family claimed that Mansoor was forced to give statements as was demanded as he feared that he would not be able to fly back to Dubai.
They also claimed that the police summoned him five times to take the statements and this caused him mental stress. His mobile phone was seized the very first time he went.
Mansoor, meanwhile, informed the police that he used to call Sajen's wife as a family friend and driver.
After it was found that several calls were made to a phone connection in the name of Sajen, Mansoor was questioned by the police. His phone was also seized. A SIM card taken in Sajen's name was used by all his family members.
However, during the second phase of recording statements, the cops asked only some questions and video-recorded only the portions they wanted, it is said. Fearing that such a mode of questioning would hinder his return trip to Dubai, Mansoor raised this fear with the cops. However, he was assured that he would not face any legal hurdles and there was no need to be apprehensive over the trip.
Mansoor predicament follows a smear campaign against him and Sajen's family likely by CPM supporters. The e CPM mouthpiece claimed in a report that Sajen ended his life over family problems. Such reports were also circulated via cyber groups of the ruling party in Kerala.
Sajen, 49, had hanged himself at his home on June 18, after the CPM-ruled Anthoor municipality refused to grant permission for his convention centre. His family had on Saturday alleged that a smear campaign was on against them and said they did not trust the police probe anymore.
Overseas businessman
Mansoor, who is into optical glass business in Dubai, got acquainted with Sajen as he was about to start a venture in Kannur. The acquaintance soon turned into friendship.
As Mansoor was adept at driving luxury cars, he was called to drive those at Sajen's house.
Mostly he had to take the children to school and drop them back home. Sajen and his family too were regular visitors at Mansoor's house. Sajen’s children were also friendly to Mansoor's siblings.
Sajen's son often played online games such as PUBG along with Mansoor and his younger brother, it is said.
Mansoor’s family said that he was disheartened after allegations were raised against him.
Soon after Sajen's suicide it came to light that Anthoor municipality chairperson Shyamala was reportedly against granting nod to the convention centre he had built at a CPM stronghold.
Shyamala is the wife of CPM central committee member M V Govindan.
The role of municipal officials in the left-ruled civic body is also under a cloud over the tragedy, hence it is feared the probe won't be fair.
