Binoy Kodiyeri row: UAE issues travel ban ensuring he can’t return to Kerala now

 In another twist in the Binoy Kodiyeri controversy, UAE has issued a travel ban on him, ensuring he cannot return to Kerala from Dubai for now.

The ban was issued on February 1, but it came to public knowledge only on Monday.

Binoy left to Dubai last week in a bid to address the controversy. He also refuted claims that his passport was confiscated.

A translated notice from the Dubai government says, "A travel ban has been issued against you on a petition (case number 102/2018/69). We order to ban the debtor from travel and that he deposit his passport in the court safely.”

Binoy Vinodini Balakrishnan is the elder son of senior CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Bineesh, the younger son, confirmed details of the ban to television channels.

A Dubai citizen, Hasan Ismaeel Abdulla Almarzooqi, filed a complaint against Binoy in January claiming that he owed his company 7 million dirhams (Rs 13 crore), including bank interest and legal charges.

The company claimed that Binoy borrowed 3,13,200 UAE dirhams (approximately Rs 53.61 lakh) on collateral security for purchasing an Audi car, and also it lent him 45 lakh dirham for his business deals in India, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Nepal.

Bineesh however told media, "Binoy owes them only Rs 1.72 crore, and not Rs 13 crore … No need to drag our father into all this.”

Party leader S Ramachandran Pillai said that this is not an issue pertaining the party and its leaders.

The complaint came to light on January 24 and kicked off a huge row in the state, putting the CPI(M) – that leads the ruling coalition, the Left Democratic Front – on the defensive. Later, Binoy produced certificates from the Dubai police and court, which stated that there is no case against him. However, these certificates were issued on Binoy’s request.