T’puram: The investigation into Vizhinjam gold fraud that allegedly drove two employees of a private finance company to suicide has widened, with police now suspecting that prime accused Sindhu Kumari was aided by another person in carrying out the alleged fraud, as per a police source. Police are probing the suspected accomplice’s role in the diversion and disposal of the pledged gold.Kumari will be taken into police custody on Monday for detailed interrogation after a local court permitted custodial questioning. Though the investigation has since been transferred to district crime records bureau (DCRB), police will conduct the interrogation as per the court’s earlier order. Police sought four days’ custody, but the court will decide the duration.During the custodial interrogation, investigators will retrace the alleged financial trail by taking Kumari to branches of nationalised banks at Poonkulam and Thampanoor, KSFE branch at Thampanoor, Murali Finance, which she earlier operated, a private financial establishment at Kovalam where the pledged gold was allegedly sold, and her residence for evidence collection.“The custodial interrogation and evidence collection are aimed at establishing the financial trail and identifying everyone involved,” a police officer said.After the evidence collection and questioning, Kumari will be produced before the court. The investigation records, including the evidence collection report, are expected to be handed over to DCRB by Wednesday.Police registered 19 cases in connection with the alleged fraud. Separate cases have also been registered against Kumari at Malayinkeezhu, Poojappura and Maranalloor police stations.The case came to light after Anju, 28, of Venniyoor, and Aishwarya, 32, of Venganoor, employees of a private finance company, died by suicide following the disappearance of around 70 sovereigns of gold entrusted to the firm.
