The Kerala High Court has rejected the bail plea of Anand Kumar, chairman of the Saigram Trust, who was arrested in connection with the half-price scam case. The single bench headed by Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan dismissed the bail application today. Although detailed reasons for the rejection have not been made public, during the hearing, Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan questioned why Anand Kumar had consistently participated in the events related to the fraudulent scheme.
In the various half-price scam cases registered across the state, Ananthu Krishnan and Anand Kumar are the primary accused. While considering the bail application, the court asked why Anand Kumar continued to be involved in the scheme even after knowing that CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funding was not granted. The court inquired whether the first accused, Ananthu Krishnan, had falsely informed that CSR funds would be available for the scheme offering two-wheelers at half price. Anand Kumar responded that he was told the funds would be received and that was why he supported the project. However, he added that he withdrew his support once he realized the funds would not be available.
The court pointed out that the National NGO Confederation had registered the project in February 2024, granting approval for the scheme to sell two-wheelers at half price, and had entrusted Ananthu Krishnan with the responsibility of handling financial transactions related to the vehicle sales. The court also highlighted that Anand Kumar himself was the chairman of the Confederation.
Anand Kumar argued that he had not taken even a single rupee for personal gain from the scheme. However, the court countered by asking whether he had not been present at all the events organized across Kerala, from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, in connection with the scheme.
