Kerala Police Arrest Congress-Allied Group Chief in Alleged Extortion Racket

Kerala Police arrested Rajendran Vellappalath, national president of the Congress-allied Kerala Pravasi Association, over alleged involvement in an extortion racket. A Special Investigation Team intercepted him in Nedumbassery, Ernakulam. Police suspect the accused led a syndicate that sent forged Enforcement Directorate notices accusing organizations of money laundering and allegedly offered to resolve the purported probes for money. The investigation began after the Indian Cooperative Credit Society Limited reported an extortion attempt. Its CEO, Meenu John, lodged a complaint, and the FIR says the society received a communication dated October 5 on October 13, purportedly from the ED’s Delhi Zonal Office-II. The SIT is examining whether institutions elsewhere in Kerala and India were targeted.