Karuna music fest at Kochi: CB inquiry ordered; KMF writes to CM

KOCHI: Ernakulam city commissioner Vijay Sakhare said a crime branch-level inquiry has begun after allegations arose that there were irregularities in the music fest (Karuna) organized by Kochi Music Foundation (KMF). The decision was taken a day after collector S Suhas forwarded a complaint filed by Yuva Morcha state secretary Sandeep Varier in this regard.
“Based on the complaint forwarded by the district collector, I have given orders to the assistant commissioner of crime branch to initiate a preliminary inquiry. Based on the findings, a case will be registered against the organizers,” Sakhare said.
Now, KMF has written a letter to the chief minister, requesting him to begin an inquiry into the financial dealings related to music concert in the wake of allegations of misappropriation of funds and misuse of government machinery.
A news meet scheduled by KMF on Tuesday was cancelled at the last minute, allegedly after senior members of the foundation raised objections.
The letter signed by music composer Bijibal, singer Shahabaz Aman, director Aashiq Abu, actor Rima Kallingal, Sithara Krishnakumar, Syam Pushkaran and Madhu Narayanan said Karuna music concert was organized using the funds of foundation members. Though the idea to contribute the revenue from ticket sales to chief minister’s distress relief fund (CMDRF) was taken in unison, KMF failed to raise funds from the event organized without help from sponsors, the letter said.
“While efforts were on to raise funds, including the money spent by the foundation and the fund to be paid to CMDRF from different means including video content telecast; a politically-motivated attack was launched. The foundation paid money to CMDRF without causing controversies,” the letter said. This was despite the foundation, which is registered as trust, having time till March 31 to pay the amount legally, it said.
The attack against KMF members started ever since some of them participated in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act, the letter said.