Alleged fraud in Dubai: Plea in Kerala HC seeks probe by CBI, ED

Kochi: A petition has been filed before the high court seeking a detailed probe into an alleged financial fraud committed by Noufal Ahammed of Palakkad and Brijeesh Mohammed of Wadakkanchery in Dubai, and the subsequent investment of the proceeds of the crime in film production.The petition, filed by Mangilal Sunil Agarwal, a Dubai-based businessman from Chennai, claims that the accused siphoned off an amount of AED 6,164,815 (approximately Rs 15.66 crore). He seeks a detailed investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) against them. Agarwal has also sought interim relief to stay the release of the Tovino Thomas-starrer Malayalam film ‘Pallichattambi' until the completion of the investigation, alleging that the film was produced using the proceeds of the crime. The bench of Justice K Babu sought instructions from the state govt in the petition and adjourned the matter to May 19 for further hearing.According to the petition, Agarwal had advanced a loan of AED 6,164,815 to Noufal and Brijeesh in 2019 for their business operations while he was in Dubai. However, the accused allegedly defaulted on the loan, and the cheques issued by them were dishonoured due to insufficient funds. Consequently, Agarwal initiated criminal and civil proceedings against them before the Dubai Court of Law. It is further stated that Noufal was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined AED 4,00,000, with the court also ordering his deportation upon completion of the sentence and payment of the fine. Similarly, Brijeesh was arrested and later released on bail after paying AED 6,00,000 in cash to the petitioner and undertaking to repay the remaining amount within a grace period of one month.The petitioner has alleged that both accused evaded legal proceedings, subsequently returned to India, and unlawfully utilised the money owed to him to produce the high-budget Malayalam film. Accordingly, the petitioner seeks a detailed investigation by the CBI and ED against the accused.