BJP alleges LDF Government in mafia's grip

Kochi, May 16 (UNI) The BJP today alleged that the home department under the LDF Government in Kerala was in the grip of the mafia and demanded a central agency probe into the alleged links of controversial Swami Amritachaitanya alias Santosh Madhavan in his hawala and land dealings.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP state General Secretary A N Radhakrishnan alleged that the CPM leaders were ''blackmailing'' Congress leaders and because of this they were not commenting on the Santosh Madhavan issue.

He said the alleged links between Madhavan and top police officials also needed investigation.

Police had on May 13 arrested Madhavan on charges of rape of a minor girl, cheating and making of pornographic films. He also reportedly owns several properties in Kochi and elsewhere in Kerala and 'hawala' allegations had emerged in his purchase of a property in Kattapana in Idukki district of Kerala, costing more than Rs one crore.

He is in police custody till May 19.

UNI ARC KKS1705