The CBI has booked Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal on corruption charges for alleged irregularities in export of Massmeen (dry tuna fish) to a Sri Lankan company represented by his nephew.
The NCP MP's nephew Abdul Raziq Thangal and a Colombo-based company that he represented, SRT General Merchants Importers and Exporters and Managing Director of Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd., MP Anwar have also been named as accused in the FIR.
On Tuesday, the agency conducted searches at the residence of Faizal in Delhi, Calicut and Lakshadweep, officials said.
It was alleged some public representatives and public servants colluded with each other to facilitate the export of tuna fish, carrying an average international price of Rs 400 per kg.
The fish was procured from local fishermen through Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation (LCMF) and exported to SRT General Merchants.
It is alleged that no payments were made by the company to LCMF, resulting in a huge revenue loss to the federation and local fishermen to the tune of Rs 9 crore.
The case is related to irregularities/corruption in the procurement of dry tuna fish in 2016-17 by the accused persons by giving fake assurance of higher rate to the fishermen and exported the same through Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd. to Sri Lanka through a private party.