To: Mr. A. K. Antony, Chief Minister of Kerala
December 30, 2002The Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (CHRO), Kerala, submitted the following memorandum to Kerala Chief Minister Mr. A. K. Antony urging him to prevail upon the Union Government to initiate steps to suo motto extradit Asianet Managing Editor, K. P. Mohanan, to Kuwaiit :-
"We join with the concern of Keralites abroad, especially in Kuwait, over the political maneuvers being launched by Asianet Managing Editor, K. P. Mohanan, to avoid extradition and imprisonment following Kuwait Supreme Court?s verdict sentencing him for eight years? imprisonment.
This verdict was pronounced by the Kuwait First Instance Court in December third week after finding Mohanan and two others guilty of siphoning off millions of rupees belonging to the Salmia Indian School, which is a major education institution of Keralite NRIs in Kuwaiit, in their capacity as administrators of the school during the Gulf war. According to reports, out of this booty, Mohanan had invested about Rs. 15 crores in Asianet, the leading Malayalam TV channel, and by virtue of which he became its Managing Editor.
According to reports, Mohanan is wielding his political influence at the Central level, especially through Union Minister of State for Urban Development, O. Rajagopal, to avoid extradition and imprisonment at Kuwait. The tacit understanding is said to be wider coverage through Asianet for BJP/RSS. Evidently, undue news coverage by Asianet to Sangh Parivar leaders and events tend to support these reports.
As per the Kuwaiiti law, Mohanan can file his appeal (mercy petition) against the sentence to the Amir of Kuwait, but only after submitting himself for the punishment and from within Kuwait jail. Although there is no formal extradition treaty between India and Kuwait, convicts of such serious offences are handed over on request by either of the two countries and in view of their cordial diplomatic relationship.
Ever since the Kuwait school scam broke out and Mohanan reached Kerala the Kuwaiiti authorities proclaimed him as a declared absconder and alerted the Interpol. Mohanan wields the same political clout at Delhi levels, with which he could avoid arrest, to escape imprisonment after present conviction by the highest court in Kuwait.
The huge amount looted by Mohanan belongs to the Indian community in Kuwait, majority of whom are Keralites. This has become a major issue of serious concern of all the Keralite NRIs, especially in Gulf region. It also poses a question mark on the honesty, reputation, image and law abiding nature of the whole Keralite community living in Gulf countries. As such, we consider that any attempt at the Central level to protect Mohanan will be harmful to the overall interests and wellbeing of the whole Keralite community living in Gulf countries.
It is, therefore, imperative for the Kerala Government to make serious efforts to thwart the present attempts of Mohanan to save himself at the cost of the reputation of the entire Keralite population living abroad, especially in Kuwait. We, therefore, request you to interfere in this issue by urging the Union Government to initiate steps to suo motto hand over Mohanan to the Kuwait authorities in the best interests of both the countries in general, and of the Keralites living in Gulf countries in particular.
Awaiting your action in true spirit of justice and equality before law, we remain."
All those who endorse this memorandum may please sign this petition and/or send a similar one to Kerala Chief Minister through E-Mail ( chiefminister@kerala.gov.in, cmkerala@vsnl.net ) or Fax 0471 2333489
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It was two years back in November 2000 that four prominent Keralites faced criminal charges in connection with the multi-crore Kuwait-Indian School scam. The four-members were accused of siphoning off huge amount of money from the Indian School, Kuwait where more than 5,000 Indian students are on the rolls. A preliminary scrutiny of the school accounts after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait revealed that a sum of more than Rs 400 million was missing from the accounts. (Nearly Rupees. 40 crores!!!). Tthis was only the tip of the ice berg as a few known social workers and businessmen joined hands to dupe the Indian community. Watch this space for more
Indian President, Kerala Chief Minister urged to Extradite K.P.Mohan to Kuwait
Indian School Kuwait Scandal
Thiruvananthapuram --Protest campaigns to extradite Asianet Managing Editor K.P.Mohan who is one of the three sentenced to eight years imprisonment by the Kuwait Supreme Court is intensified by the Civil Liberties and Constitution Protection Council, based in Thiruvananthapuram. It has urged the intervention of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to extradite Asianet managing editor K.P. Mohan and two others to Kuwait after their conviction by the Kuwaiti First Instance Court in the Kuwait school scam. Full Report