Chennai: Following searches conducted by Enforcement Directorate officials at 12 locations in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the BLM financial institution fraud case, movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 103 crore belonging to founder R. Premkumar have been attached.
R. Premkumar, from Kerala, is the founder of Bharat Lajna Multi State Housing Co-operative Society Limited (BLM). Complaints had arisen that he was involved in financial irregularities in the company and had used money collected from the public for his personal gain.
In this regard, the Kerala Police registered a case and conducted an investigation. Since there were indications of illegal money transfer, the Enforcement Directorate also registered a case and began an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, based on the Kerala Police’s first information report.
As part of this investigation, the day before yesterday, Kochi zonal Enforcement Directorate officials conducted searches at 12 locations in Tamil Nadu and Kerala linked to Premkumar, including Kochi, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, Mannarkkad, and Chennai.
In this investigation, it has come to light that Premkumar used the money collected from the public in the company’s name to purchase assets in his own name and in the names of family members.
Regarding this, the Enforcement Directorate said in a press release: Premkumar used around 320 bank accounts to transact the company’s funds in various ways.
On examining these bank accounts, it has been found that the company’s public funds were used for personal gain and to purchase movable and immovable assets.
It has also come to light during the investigation that loans were obtained from various banks and financial institutions by mortgaging company-owned assets.
The money obtained in this way was used to purchase properties in the names of Premkumar’s family members and people associated with him.
During the search, properties worth several crores of rupees and related documents were found.
Accordingly, movable and immovable assets worth a total of Rs.103 crore have been frozen, including 8 luxury cars worth about Rs.7.3 crore, gold jewelry weighing 7,400 grams worth Rs.9.6 crore, shares worth Rs.80 crore, immovable properties worth Rs.5 crore, and bank balances of Rs.1.86 crore.
The company’s money has been transferred to many individuals and companies through various bank accounts.
In addition, bank accounts, property documents, and financial transactions are being continuously investigated.
Work is also under way to calculate the total amount siphoned off through these irregularities. It said so in that.
