Mainstream media in Kerala failed to report shocking allegations that 25 lakh rupees paid from the Kerala government treasury to the controversial extreme-left KUWJ (Kerala Union of Working Journalists) were used for terrorism. The media silence was only natural since all those involved in the ecosystem were employees of the top media houses. Most KUWJ members have alleged links with terrorist organizations like the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

Twenty-five lakh rupees given without any guarantees by the Kerala government to the KUWJ in Delhi have gone missing. During this period, the media jihadi Siddique Kappan was responsible for the KUWJ in Delhi. Now, no one knows how the Rs 25 lakhs that CM Pinarayi Pinarayi paid to curry favor with the journalists vanished. After authorities started investigating the embezzlement of Rs 25 lakh government funds, KUWJ Delhi unit office-bearers tried to escape by blaming each other.

Karma News alleged that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) seized the KUWJ bank statement from Kappan’s bag when he was arrested. Now the question arises whether the 25 lakh rupees reached the hands of the terrorists or whether KUWJ officials usurped it.

NIA informed the court that Kappan and others plotted to instigate disturbances over the controversial Hathras case in Uttar Pradesh, where an SC (Scheduled Caste) Valmiki girl allegedly in a relationship with a GC (General Category) Thakur boy was strangled to death, and later rape charges were leveled at the boy and his relatives. Earlier this month, a special court in Hathras convicted one person and acquitted three others of all charges in the 2020 Hathras rape and murder case. 

In early March, HinduPost reported how Malappuram native PFI Hit Squad Commander K P Kamal, who allegedly arranged funds and sent fake journalist Siddique Kappan to Hathras, was finally arrested. Kappan was detained by the UP Police on 5 October 2020, along with three other people, and charged with sedition and violating the strict provisions of the UAPA. Kamal had absconded immediately after Kappan was arrested. 

Since Kappan was Delhi KUWJ Secretary, the missing 25 lakh funds affect our national security. The Delhi Police was the first to investigate the lacking funds. They interrogated the present KUWJ President Prasoon Kandath (Chief of Bureau in Kerala Kaumudi daily Delhi bureau) and Secretary D Dhanasumod Renjini Devi (Chief of Bureau at MediaoneTV).

Both stated that former office bearers R Kiran Babu (Principal Correspondent, News 18 Kerala) and P K Manikandan (Mathrubhumi Delhi senior correspondent) had since moved to Thiruvananthapuram and were responsible for the diversion of funds. 

Following this, the Delhi Police handed the case investigation to the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner. As per the Commissioner’s instructions, the Vanchiyoor Police started an inquiry. Kiran Babu and Manikandan were called to the station and interrogated. Both of them submitted written statements.

Kiran Babu testified that the controversial transactions happened at the hands of office-bearers who arrived after him. Karma News alleged Kiran Babu also falsely stated that he had not utilized the amount when he was a KUWJ office bearer. During 2012-15, when Kiran Babu was in office, the amount was illegally deposited as a fixed deposit, and interest was collected. An amount of Rupees eight lakhs was also diverted during his tenure. The Union Bank Account Statement proves these statements were false.

Manikandan stated he was the KUWJ office bearer between 2014-18 and claimed the FD investment happened in 2012. He also revealed the diversion happened on the recommendation of a committee headed by Thomas Dominic (Chief Reporter at Malayalam Manorama). Manikandan’s statement also indicated an allegation that Kappan, who became the KUWJ secretary after him, had allocated money from the government fund for terrorist activities.

Manikantan stated that his predecessors and successors at KUWJ were all involved in the fund fraud. He also informed authorities that he responded to the Finance Department’s inspection wing notice as a former KUWJ office bearer. Further police action will be initiated after the report of the inspection wing of the finance department is made available. Suspiciously, the information has been delayed for far too long.

Karma News wants all KUWJ transactions to be scrutinized to bring out the truth. The police, Enforcement Directorate, and NIA are investigating the case. If KUWJ has media ethics and responsibility towards people’s tax money, the disputed amount should be returned to the exchequer.

Disclaimer: HinduPost has not been able to independently corroborate the story