DOHA / KOYILANDY: In a major breakthrough in the high-profile Rs 8-crore robbery at the Qatar KMCC headquarters, key accused and local BJP leader Parappil Balakrishnan surrendered before the Koyilandy police in Kerala. Balakrishnan, a native of Koyilandy, is among six accused named in the cross-border heist case.
The burglary took place on September 18, 2025, at the KMCC office in Al Thumama, Qatar. According to the police complaint, a gang tied up the room boy on duty and used a gas cutter to break open the strongroom, decamping with 3.1 million Qatari Riyals (approximately Rs 8.06 crore).
Balakrishnan, a welder by profession, had arrived in Qatar in September 2025. He claimed he was duped into participating under the pretext of a professional welding job to repair a damaged office safe in Doha for a promised fee of Rs 10 lakh. He alleged that upon realizing it was a robbery, he attempted to withdraw, but was pursued and coerced by the gang.
The gang fled Qatar immediately after the operation, leaving Balakrishnan with Rs 50,000. Experiencing severe mental distress after returning to Kerala, Balakrishnan initially tried to join the Muslim League before eventually joining the BJP, under whose banner he contested the recent local body elections.
Balakrishnan revealed that the masterminds instructed him to stay standby until his visa and flight tickets were arranged. He traveled to Qatar alongside co-accused Rashi and Sai Baba, where another suspect, Shaji, joined them at a hotel. He maintained that he was unaware of the criminal plot beforehand.
The Koyilandy police registered an official case on September 15, 2026, following a formal complaint lodged by KMCC Qatar Vice President P.K. Abdul Raheem. The other accused in the case have been identified as Bombay Shaji, Rashi Payyoli, Salih (alias Bava), Hassan (alias Mammali), and Nizar. A comprehensive police investigation is currently underway.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com