Man held for bid to disrupt Amit Shah's meeting in Mumbai hotel
Mumbai, Nov 11: Mumbai Police arrested a 53-year-old man for allegedly barging into a meeting of BJP activists and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a hotel here, an official said on Monday.
The man, identified as Shakti Prakash Bhargav from Kanpur, allegedly used a fake media ID to gain entry into the high-security event at the hotel situated in the Bandra Kurla Complex on Sunday, the official said.
According to the police official, Bhargav interrupted the meeting by shouting about the "Lal Imli Mill scam" and throwing papers in an attempt to attract the attention of the Union Home Minister.
The incident was swiftly addressed by security personnel, who overpowered Bhargav and escorted him out of the venue before handing him over to the local police.
Bhargav has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including charges of cheating and forgery.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Bhargav was frustrated with the lack of response to his concerns regarding the Lal Imli Mill scam in Kanpur, which he had been following up on without satisfactory results, the official said.
Police are continuing their investigation into the matter.
The alleged mill fraud involves the diversion of money from the accounts of the workers who did not work in the Kanpur-based unit.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
