The Kerala Lok Ayukta on Friday opened a preliminary investigation into the allegation that K.B. Ganesh Kumar, MLA, had misappropriated the estate of the late actor Srividya.
The complainant, a public interest litigant, Raveendranathan of Palakkad, has sought a criminal inquiry against the politician on the ground that he had betrayed the trust of the actor who had named him as executor in her will.
The actor’s assets included 8 cents of land and a building in Vattiyurkavu in the capital, a 1,250 sq ft apartment in a prime location in Chennai, gold ornaments (550 gm), silver (1.5 kg), precious stones, a car and bank deposits estimated at Rs.17 lakh.
Nominated executor
The complainant alleged that the actor had bequeathed her assets to Mr. Ganesh Kumar under the belief that he would start a music and dance academy in her name and register a charitable society for the purpose. The actor had also nominated Mr. Ganesh Kumar executor in her will.
In her will, Srividya wanted Rs.5 lakh each paid to her nieces, daughters of her brother Sankar Raman. She also wanted her two servants, Sahadevan and Siddhammal, paid Rs.1 lakh each.
Mr. Raveendranathan told that court that Mr. Ganesh Kumar held the power of attorney over all of Srividya’s properties.
Judges Pius C. Kuriakose and K.P. Balachandran said the court was not yet convinced whether the allegation warranted a full-fledged investigation against Mr. Ganesh Kumar.
In order to verify the correctness or otherwise of the allegation, the court ordered the late actor’s brother, Sankar Raman, to appear before it on May 22.
