Investigation into Malayan Nurse’s Loan Default in Kerala

The state crime branch will investigate twelve cases related to a Malayan nurse who reportedly defaulted on a loan obtained from Al Ahli Bank in Kuwait. Justice K. Babu has ordered that these cases, which involve complaints from a bank representative, be reassigned from local police in Kottayam and Ernakulam districts to the state crime branch, with an SP-ranked officer in charge of the inquiry.

The petition was submitted by Mohamed Al-Qattan, the Chief Consumer Officer of Al-Ahli Bank. He emphasized the need for transferring these potentially significant cases from local authorities to the crime branch.

Following the High Court’s decision, Tony, the individual implicated in one of the cases, promptly repaid the outstanding amount of approximately Rs 7,734,860. A case linked to this repayment has been withdrawn, according to a bank spokesperson.

ADGP Law and Order presented a report to the High Court, outlining the investigation’s progress concerning allegations that Keralites defrauded Kuwaiti banks. It’s noted that the state police plan to consolidate these cases, which the bank’s lawyer, Thomas Anakalmukar, has no objections to. He also pointed out that transferring the case to the state crime branch aligns with protocols set by the state police chief.

The DGP previously indicated that these cases necessitate a crime branch investigation, as they may involve complexities that extend beyond the state’s borders. The police report mentions that some suspects are presently living abroad.

The allegations state that the defendants deceived banks to obtain loans, orchestrating a scheme that involved taking out loans from various banks, transferring those funds to accounts in India, and subsequently leaving Kuwait for employment in other countries. Prosecutors contend that billions of rupees were siphoned from banks through fraudulent activities.

According to the bank, many of those implicated worked for Kuwait’s Ministry of Health. It later became clear that several had relocated to countries including Ireland, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The loans were initially approved based on the applicants’ employment and salaries. A statement from the bank revealed that some employees discreetly resigned shortly after obtaining loans, using the funds to facilitate their moves.

In total, Al Ahli Bank mentioned that approximately 10 billion rupees have been recovered from the defendants across the twelve cases. Previously, the High Court had supported a petition from Gulf Bank of Kuwait, requesting the DGP to direct the transfer of similar cases from Kerala to the crime branch. Investigations connected to Gulf Bank are still ongoing.