Hindraf leader and a member squabble over accounts

Another crisis has erupted in the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) as the two main factions charge each other of cheating over the movement's funds.

On one side are Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy (right) and legal advisor P Uthayakumar, who have appointed a firm to audit the accounts of Hindraf Enterprise, a private company intended as a shell to collect funds for Hindraf in late 2007.

On the other are former Hindraf treasurer K Vasanthakumar and V Ganabatirao, who accuse Waythamoorthy of misappropriating funds collected for families of the five Hindraf leaders detained under the Internal Security Act.

Uthayakumar, Vasanthakumar and Ganabatirao were among the three ISA detainees, but since their detention they have had a falling out. Waythamoorthy is self-exiled in London.

On Thursday, at a press conference Vasanthakumar claimed that he is the sole proprietor of Hindraf Enterprise and Waythamoorthy had no business trying to pry into his accounts.

Instead, he demanded that Waythamoorthy reveal what happened to the tens of thousands collected after the five were arrested on Dec 13, 2007.

Vasan 'exonerates' Waytha

In a statement today, Waythamoorthy said funds collected in the name on Hindraf, but not banked into Hindraf Enterprise's accounts, were in the hands of independent auditors.

Turning to Vasanthakumar, Waythamoorthy explained that they were introduced on Oct 2007 and the former was made treasurer as he claimed to be a bank officer.

"It later came as a shock to me that he had instead opened an account for a stationery business under the name of Hindraf Enterprise and appointed himself director," said Waythamoorthy.

He said a lot of money was banked into Hindraf Enterprise by well wishers of the Hindraf movement and this should be accounted for.

He said Vasanthakumar (below) should not use this funds for personal use or the stationary business and make the accounts public..

"I am glad finally for the first time Vasanthakumar has admitted to opening an account under the name of Hindraf Enterprise, which exonerates me of any fund collection," he said.

Waythamoorthy added that it was strange since the very people who were accusing him of embezzlement, are refusing to openly declare Hindraf Enterprise's accounts to independent auditors.

MK
27/12/09

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