Kochi, The officials of Customs and Forest Departments on Tuesday conducted raids at the house of self-styled antique collector Monson Mavunkal at Kaloor in this city. The arrest of Monson Mavunkal, accused in the Rs 10 crore antique cheating case, has courted controversy following media reports on his connections with those in the socio-political, bureaucratic and cinema circles of the state. The raid of the customs was in view of a complaint over cheating in the pretext of a luxury-car deal, sources said. Earlier, the Crime Branch seized a number of luxurious vehicles from his houses in Kaloor and Cherthala.
The raid by the Kerala Forest Department was in the wake of indications that he is in possession of Ivory at his residence in Kalloor. There were reports that the self-styled antique collector has been admitted to Ernakulam General Hospital due to high blood pressure. On Monday, a trial court here remanded him to judicial custody till October 6. Sources said several cheating cases were pending against the accused in various police stations including Pandalam and Ernakulam Town, in the State.
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