Kozhikode (Keralam) | A man who was part of a four-member group allegedly flown from Keralam to Qatar to steal 31 lakh Qatari riyals, worth nearly Rs 8 crore, from the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) office in Doha has surrendered before police in Koyilandy here, nearly a year after the robbery, officials said on Thursday.
Parappil Balakrishnan, a native of Koyilandy, surrendered before the Koyilandy police on Wednesday.
The KMCC is a cultural and social welfare organisation associated with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally in the Congress-led UDF in Keralam.
The BJP's local leadership has demanded a probe by a central agency, as he contested in Koyilandy as the party's candidate in last year's local body elections.
The robbery took place on September 18, 2025, at the KMCC office in Doha's Al Thumama.
According to police, the gang tied up a room boy, broke open the strong room using a gas cutter and escaped with the cash.
Police said four people were brought from Keralam to Qatar by air specifically to carry out the robbery, while two others allegedly helped them stay in the country and plan the operation.
Balakrishnan returned to Keralam after the incident, police said.
The other accused are Shaji, Asainar, Rashi Payyoli, Rottana Rasak, Salih alias Bava, Kakachi Kamaru and Nisar.
Police are questioning Balakrishnan and searching for the remaining accused, officials said.
They said that some of the accused are currently abroad.
The stolen money was part of a welfare fund for overseas Keralites.
In a video purportedly featuring Balakrishnan, he said that he and three other fishermen were issued work visas to travel to Qatar.
He said he worked as a welder and was contacted by someone named Shaji, who promised him a job in Qatar.
There, he was asked to open the strong room and locker using a gas cutter, he said He claimed that he did not know the purpose for which they were taken there.
Police said that no investigation was conducted into the incident because no complaint was lodged immediately after the burglary.
Qatar KMCC vice-president P K Abdul Rahim approached the Koyilandy police on September 15 this year, following criticism of the organisation and the IUML A case was subsequently registered and an investigation launched.
Police said they are also probing whether people associated with KMCC are involved in the burglary.
