BJP leader says he received just Rs 50,000 after Qatar robbery, surrenders

KOZHIKODE: A local BJP leader has surrendered to police in connection with the theft of Rs 8 crore from the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) office in Qatar. Balakrishnan, a native of Koyilandy, said he was taken to Qatar on the promise of a job and was asked to open the KMCC strongroom using a gas cutter.

Balakrishnan, who worked as a welder in Kerala, said the incident took place in September 2025. He alleged that he was deceived with a job offer and taken to Qatar after being told that a strongroom at an office there had a problem and needed to be repaired. He said he had been offered Rs 10 lakh for the work.

According to his statement, he tried to stop the robbery when he realised what was happening. However, he said he had to open the strongroom after receiving threats, including death threats.

The group fled Qatar after the robbery. Balakrishnan reportedly received Rs 50,000. After returning to Kerala, he was under severe mental stress and tried to join the Muslim League, but was unsuccessful. He later joined the BJP and contested the last local body elections as a BJP candidate.

There are six accused in the KMCC robbery case. The investigation is underway to trace the other five.

Balakrishnan said he was told to remain ready to travel and that he would be contacted once his visa and tickets were arranged. He was instructed to be ready to leave and to reach Kannur airport at night. “I was taken there on the pretext of work. I travelled to Qatar with Rashi and Sai Baba. Shaji also arrived there. We stayed at a hotel. I did not know about the robbery,” he said.