Kochi: The Kerala state president of the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) Thushar Vellappally was arrested on Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in connection with a cheque bounce case.

According to sources, the BDJS president is presently housed at the Ajman central jail, in a cheque bounce case, where he had handed over a cheque worth Rs 19 crore to his business partner.

Thushar was Rahul Gandhi’s opponent in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency during the Lok Sabha 2019 election. Thushar was earlier selected to contest from Thrissur district and had even campaigned there for two days. Thushar was shifted to Wayanad after Rahul was fielded in Wayanad.

Meanwhile, Vellappally Natesan, father of Thushar, and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam general secretary said Thushar was trapped in the case and said that he is hopeful of getting bail for his son soon.

Cheque bounce case against Thushar was filed by Nazil Abdullah, a Thrissur native settled in Ajman (UAE). However, according to sources, Thushar was unaware of the case that was filed against him.

The complainant had called Thushar to Ajman, stating that they can discuss and come up with a compromise on the issue. It was during their discussions in a hotel room in Ajman that the police, based on the complaint, arrested Thushar.

Sources also said, though Kerala lawyers in the UAE and social activists in the country intervened for Thushar, he wasn’t granted bail as complainants didn’t withdraw the case.