CBI quizzes official on insurance cheat attempt case

Puducherry, Jan 4 (UNI) A team of CBI officials from Chennai, headed by inspector G Kalaimani, today interrogated a former deputy transport commissioner and a few others in connection with a case of attempt to cheat an insurance company to the tune of Rs 67 lakh through a false accident claim.

According to CBI sources, Mr Karunakaran, the son of V Veeraraghavan, the deputy transport commissioner, who is the deputy director of Local Administration Department presently, met with an accident here on November 10, 2003. Karunakaran's friend Muthukumaran was also with him when his bike hit another bike ridden by one Arokiyadass.

Since, the bike of Karunakaran had no insurance cover, Mr Veeraraghavan with the help of Francis, a clerk with the transport department and a driving school owner, Ramesh did everything to prove that Karunakaran was riding another bike with insurance and Rs 67 lakh was claimed from the insurance company with the help of a few police officals. Arokiyadas, also joined hands with them to claim the amount.

Meanwhile, the CBI received information that it was a false claim and began inquiry. A raid was conducted at the residence of Veeraraghavan today and some documents were seized.

Veeraraghavan and others were summoned to the Government guest house at Indira Nagar here, were interrogated and they reportedly confessed committing the crime, the sources added.

UNI