Kerala Police has arrested 275 illegal money lenders in the past three days, following the suicide of a family of five here after harassment from such lenders, a minister said Wednesday.

 

 Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said after a high-level meeting of police officials that the "Operation Khubera" launched by police to nab illegal money lenders has been very effective.

 

 "In the three days since this operation began all across the state, 374 cases have been registered, 275 people have been arrested and over Rs.1.4 crore cash has been seized. The raids will continue," he said.

 

 Chennithala also said there have been media reports of a nexus between police officials and the illegal money lenders. "This has come to our attention and we are looking into the issue. Anyone found violating the law would be seriously dealt with. Any police official with dubious track record will not be given key posts," he said.

 

 He said there were 10,280 registered organisations engaged in private banking in Kerala, while there were unregistered ones too. "We have given time till June 30 to all those who have not registered. We will put up on the tax department website the list of all registered private bankers. A link will also be provided to the Kerala Police website," Chennithala said.

 

 He said police will also look into reports of illegal financing by people for the Malayalam film industry.