Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has detained Chairman and Managing Director of the Perundurai-based Susi Emu Farms M.S. Gurusamy, who allegedly pioneered the multi-crore emu scam, under the Goondas Act on Sunday.
Mr. Gurusamy was arrested a few moths ago on charges of cheating the persons who had invested in the ponzi contract emu farming schemes of his company. “However, on instructions from Collector V.K. Shanmugam, Mr. Gurusamy is now detained under the act,” Deputy Superintendent of Police, EOW, M.K. Jagannathan told media persons here on Sunday.
Mr. Gurusamy, who is lodged at the Central prison in Coimbatore, is facing complaints of cheating registered by more than 3,800 investors. The EOW police registered cases against Susi Emu Farms and its two subsidiaries - G1 Emu Zone and Susi Land Promoters – based on these complaints.
Apart from the EOW, Perundurai police also registered five more cases against Mr. Gurusamy, including the one related to the alleged misuse of former President of India APJ. Abdul Kalam's name, on different occasions for various offences. Of them, four cases were pending before the court, Mr. Jagannathan said.
The EOW police attached assets to the tune of Rs. 12 crore belonging to Mr. Gurusamy after the emu scam came to light in the first week of August this year, he added.
Mr. Jagannathan further said a total of 22 cases had been registered against the promoters of contract farming of emu and poultry birds in the district. Apart from Mr. Gurusamy, police arrested 60 persons for their alleged involvement in the emu scam worth over Rs. 500 crore till date. More than 100 vehicles belonging to the emu firms had also been seized. “We have filed the charge sheet against Susi Emu Farms and two other promoters of contract emu and poultry farming. Charge sheets against the remaining companies and their promoters would be filed within two months,” he said.
“The process of identifying the assets of these firms continues. We will soon attach all the assets of these companies,” Mr. Jagannathan assured.
