Nattika MLA's former aide booked for financial fraud, forging documents
Masood K Vinod withdrew Rs 85,400 from the Assembly, forging the MLA's signature.
Masood K Vinod withdrew Rs 85,400 from the Assembly, forging the MLA's signature.
Masood K Vinod withdrew Rs 85,400 from the Assembly, forging the MLA's signature.
The Thiruvananthapuram City Museum Police have registered a case against Masood K Vinod, the former personal assistant of Nattika MLA and CPI leader CC Mukundan, for allegedly committing financial fraud using a forged signature of the legislator. He is accused of fabricating documents to claim overtime duty allowances from the Assembly.
The investigation was initiated based on a complaint filed by former Youth Congress national spokesperson AA Muhammad Hashim, following information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Masood has been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 406 (criminal breach of trust), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using forged documents as genuine), and 420 (cheating).
Masood allegedly forged documents between June 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023 and withdrew Rs 85,400 without the MLA’s knowledge, despite not working for the legislator during the assembly sessions.
Upon discovering the irregularities in the MLA's office, Masood was dismissed as his personal staff in January 2024. However, there were allegations that district party leadership continued to protect Masood despite the MLA filing a complaint against him.
Masood, a native of Chazhoor, previously served as the personal assistant to former minister VS Sunil Kumar during his tenure as both a minister and an MLA.