KOCHI: Shaji Kiran said that he has not met the chief minister or CPM leaders including Kodiyeri Balakrishnan but knows Swapna Suresh. Swapna had alleged in her anticipatory bail plea that Shaji Kiran had called and threatened her. Shaji asked her to withdraw the statement against the chief minister and if did not comply said would be arrested and then threatened her. Swapna said that she has the audio of it. Following this, Shaji revealed things to Asianet news channel.

‘I have not met the chief minister and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Don’t know other CPM leaders. No connection with congress or BJP. I am a former journalist. Has only a friendly relation with Swapna. Got acquainted with her after she was released on bail. It was over a sale of land. I don’t know on what basis she said that I threatened her on behalf of the chief minster. Did not demand to retract the statement. Let her expose the audio of me threatening her. I advised her not to act foolish. I gave the advice after concerned on her safety. I have only Rs 32,000 in my account. No connection with the firm of K P Yohanan. Had gone to Swapna’s flat yesterday. That vehicle is not mine and it is owned by my fried. Using it for business purposes. I am a native of Kottarakkara. My real name is Shaj Kiran. My friends call me Shaji Kiran,’ he said.

Swapna filed the plea for anticipatory bail in the case filed by former minister K T Jaleel. She filed the plea in the high court. Sarith has also filed for anticipatory bail.

Swapna Suresh came forward with serious allegations against the chief minister when the ED was all set to file a final charge sheet. She first alleged that currency was smuggled via diplomatic channel during his foreign visit in 2016 and it was proved that currency was in the bag during scanning. She also alleged that biryani pots with heavy metal objects were sent to Cliff House.

Swapna said currency was smuggled with the knowledge of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his wife Kamala, daughter Veena, M Sivasankar, K T Jaleeel, C M Raveendran and Nalini Netto. Soon after the allegation was levelled, the vigilance took Sarith into custody dramatically, questioned and later released him.