Chennai: In a complaint of a Rs. 5,000 crore financial fraud, Kerala police arrested R. Premkumar, the chairman of the Bharat Lajna Multi-State Housing Cooperative Society, in Chennai.
Complaints have emerged that the Bharat Lajna Multi-State Housing Cooperative Society (BLM) collected money from investors by promising high returns. It is said that even after the investment schemes matured, some people were unable to get their money back and were left struggling.
An investigation is underway into whether the money collected from investors was transferred to private bank accounts, family members, and other business entities.
There are also allegations that properties such as hotels, lodges, and theaters were purchased using that money. In connection with these complaints, the Enforcement Directorate is also investigating money laundering and hawala transactions.
In this situation, Prem Kumar, the founder and chairman of the Bharat Lajna Multi-State Housing Cooperative Society (BLM), was arrested yesterday in Virugambakkam, Chennai, by the Economic Offences Wing police of the Kozhikode Crime Branch in Kerala. This action was taken in connection with allegations of financial fraud amounting to up to Rs. 5,000 crore.
Prem Kumar, who was arrested, suddenly fainted twice. He was immediately admitted to the Government Hospital in Royapettah, Chennai.
There, doctors examined him and confirmed that his condition was stable. Later, after being produced before the court and obtaining permission, the police took Premkumar to Kerala.
Multi-sector growth
Born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Premkumar was raised in Chennai. His father worked at the Chennai Port Trust.
Following the difficulties he faced in obtaining a loan from a cooperative bank, and with the idea of creating an organization that would provide financial assistance to ordinary people, he started the BLM organization in 2006 with the support of friends.
This organization, which was started in Chennai under the law governing multi-state cooperative societies, expanded into various industries beyond housing and land development. It also operated in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh.
Its businesses also included passenger transport, cement production, jewelry sales, hotels, lodging facilities, and biogas production. In addition, projects were undertaken in the fields of education and healthcare.
Bribery complaint
It is said that two days before Premkumar was arrested, he tried to obstruct the investigation by bribing investigating officers in Thiruvananthapuram. Following this, the officers who were monitoring him came to Chennai and arrested him.
Police said that Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was firm that there should be no compromise in this case, and that this action was taken on that basis.
