THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: IG Gukuloth Lakshmana has been suspended again in the antiquities fraud case involving conman Monson Mavunkal. The IG, who is an accused in the fraud case, was arrested and released by the crime branch. Following this, he was suspended. This action was taken by Chief Minister on the recommendation of the DGP.

Lakshmana had earlier faced a one-year suspension after being implicated in a real estate fraud case. He faced suspension again after re-entering the service as head of police training department.

Lakshmana, who was absent from the interrogation twice, was present for interrogation before the Crime Branch on August 23 following a stay of arrest by the High Court. The IG told the Crime Branch that Monson Mavunkal was a scammer, but he fell for his words. As his involvement in the conspiracy was apparent, he was arrested and released on bail.

The crime branch has found that Lakshmana is the mastermind in the case and that he tried to sell the fake antiquities using a middleman and hired the policemen for the fraud. The IG visited Monson’s houses in Kaloor and Cherthala several times with gunmen in an official vehicle. Monson made more frauds by instilling trust in the clients by using the presence of top police officials who visited the house.