Ajman, UAE: Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) president Thushar Vellappally has major financial liabilities abroad if we take at face value the claims of an NRI businessman who took him to court here in the United Arab Emirates. The Malayali businessman also revealed that he is ready to withdraw the cheque-bounce case if the entire money owed to him was returned by Thushar who was arrested on Tuesday and subsequently let off on bail in Ajman.
Admitting that he was scared to take on big shots such as Thushar, Nasil Abdullah, who runs a business in Ajman, said that he had filed the case against the businessman-cum-politician as he had no other means.
"However, I would pursue the legal course until the issue is resolved," Abdullah vowed. "Thushar has to give money as per a valid contract with proper documents. The contract also mentions the cheque over which the case was filed. It was a blank cheque given as security," he explained.
Abdullah, who is from Mathilakam in Kerala's Thrissur district, also hinted that Thushar is yet to return money he had borrowed from people in the Emirates.
"Thushar has to give money to several people in the UAE. I personally know at least 10 of them. Several people are not filing a case due to fear," Abdullah claimed.
"Some of them may not have cheques with them, only the contract deal. As they would have to fight a major legal battle, they have let go off the money. Maybe they prefer to have peace of mind instead," Nasil said, adding that he was ready to reveal some of their company names if needed.
"People, who enjoy special privileges, would get help from all quarters. There will not be anyone to protect common folks like me. Times are such that one does not who is supporting or who is cheating?" Nasil rued.
Abdullah also defended himself himself saying he has no vested interests.
"As per the law, if the money as per the deal is not given and then this security cheque can be used. If this was a fabricated case, then would there be proper records?" He countered.
Abdullah revealed that he was the sub-contractor of a firm run by Thushar's Boeing Constructions.
"His company used to give us cheques. Placing our trust in them, we too gave cheques to those who distributed the products. As these cheques bounced, cases were filed against me. I had to spent around 6 months in jail over several instances of dud cheques.
"I was caught in legal hurdles for nearly a year-and-a-half. As I am not part of any privileged section, no one came to my help unlike in the case of Thushar Vellappally now," Abdullah narrated his plight.
Abdullah also said that he had earlier tried for a settlement based on Thushar’s assurance. "Thushar had said he would give 10 per cent of the total amount. Then he gave five per cent of the money owed, and the rest five per cent as cheque. But I did not get money from that cheque either," he added.
Thushar, who had contested the last Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad, had also earlier told reporters that he was ready to discuss and settle the issue. (Thushar was defeated by the then Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha elections.)
Abdullah refused to comment on reports that Thushar was tricked into coming into UAE.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan had sought the central government's intervention as soon as it came to light that Thushar was arrested.
Thushar leads the Kerala-based fledgling political party Bharat Dharma Jana Sena or BDJS. It is an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). His father Vellapally Natesan, a liquor baron, is the general secretary of the influential Ezhava community organisation named the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam or SNDP.
