Rauf stung by fresh revelations

KOZHIKODE: The array of startling revelations made by KA Rauf against Muslim League leader and Industries Minster PK Kunhalikutty in connection with the ice-cream parlour sex scandal turned murkier with the rival party firing a salvo against the former.

On Saturday, one KG Prasad, who claimed to be the biographer of Kunhalikutty, told reporters that Rauf had expressed willingness for a settlement with the minister and put forward several conditions for the same.

“The conversation with Rauf has been recorded and the 56 minutes-long audio was handed over to Intelligence ADGP Hemachandran. Rauf also disclosed the demands made by V S Achuthanandan to raise allegations against CPM leaders of Kannur. Rauf also said that allegations against Kunhalikutty were fabricated by him and his intention was only money,” he said.

 

Prasad claimed that he made a sting operation with a journalistic instinct.

Earlier, there was a media report that Rauf and Achuthanandan discussed factional feud within the CPM and the talk was recorded.

However, Rauf, at a press conference, denied the allegations and said he has no interest in taking part in the factional feud in the CPM. He also said that the meeting with Opposition Leader VS Achuthanandan did not have anything to do with factionalism in the CPM and the allegations against him were part of a conspiracy by PK Kunhalikutty to gain the support of the anti-VS faction in the CPM.

“I am not a politician and not in any way connected with any political party. Besides, I don’t have to stand with a particular faction of the party. What business he has got to discuss such matters with me? Before meeting VS Achuthanandan, I met other top leaders of the CPM and sought their help. By colluding with the television news channel, they are trying make the visit controversial,” he said.

Admitting that the voice in the telephone conversation released through the mediawas his own, Rauf said, “It was purposefully said by me. Prasad was continuously calling me for weeks and I was just responding to them in the same way they dealt with me. I very well know that the conversation was being recorded and I purposefully tried to show that I share a close alliance with Achuthanandan,” Rauf said.

Moreover, ADGP Vinson M Paul, who is investigating the new case pertaining to the fresh revelations in the ice-cream parlour case, was informed about the talks held with Prasad, Rauf added. “ADGP wanted me to hand over certain documents and at that time I informed him about the demands made by Prasad,” he said.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST IUML

Rauf alleged that several leaders of the Muslim League approached him demanding an amicable settlement with Kunhalikutty and he has video recordings of all the meetings as evidence.

“Veteran Muslim League activist C V M Vanimel was the first person who approached me in the this regard. That was around three months back. Around 10 times, Vanimel came to my house for this purpose. Later, PWD Minister Ibrahim Kunju visited me at a hotel in Ernakulam for the same purpose,” he said.

Rauf added that his first cousin Fazal Khan introduced Prasad to him three weeks ago and the latter met him at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram. “Four days ago, Prasad called me using Fazal Khan’s phone and said Kunhalikutty was worried over the issue and requested for a one-time settlement,” he said.

FRESH REVELATIONS

While countering allegations against him, Rauf made new disclosures against Kunhalikutty. Rauf accused thatKunhalikutty played a significant role in avoiding a CBI probe into the Marad massacre in 2003.

“Kunhalikutty sent me to meet BJP leader P S Sreedharan Pillai several times to avoid the CBI probe. He told me that CBI inquiry was not good for us. Now I am not prepared to explain about it. But, I will meet you in this regard again,” he said.

Rauf alleged that Kunhalikkuty holds a grudge with retired judge M A Nizar, which prompted him to take a strong stand against the Nizar Commission that enquired the Kasargod police firing.

“Kunhalikutty met M A Nizar seeking three demands. First, he sought his help to convince Panakkad Thangal that alliance with CPM would suit the party better. Later, he asked Nizar’s help to undermine the ice-cream parlour case by influencing the then judge Padmanabhan. Finally, Kunhalikutty asked Nizar to do something to stop the campaign by social activist Sugathakumari against him. However, the judge refused to budge,” he alleged.