Mangaluru: A resident of Mangaluru has been cheated of Rs 41.85 lakh in a ‘digital arrest’ scam, following which a case has been registered at the CEN Police Station.

According to the complaint, the victim received a phone call on January 31 from a person who introduced himself as an officer of the Mumbai Crime Branch, claiming to be calling from New Delhi. The caller allegedly told the victim that a bank account had been opened in his name at Canara Bank using his identity documents and that the account was linked to a major financial fraud.

The fraudster further claimed that a Supreme Court warrant had been issued against the victim and threatened him with arrest if he did not cooperate. He was asked to join a WhatsApp video call for what was described as an official “investigation”. During the call, the victim was reportedly warned not to inform his family members and was made to share his personal and bank details.

On the pretext of verifying his bank accounts and clearing his name to avoid arrest, the accused allegedly instructed the victim to transfer money to specific bank accounts. Acting on these directions, the victim transferred Rs 41.85 lakh in multiple transactions between February 9 and February 18.

After realising that he had been duped, the victim approached the CEN Police Station and lodged a complaint.

Police have registered a case and begun an investigation into the cyber fraud.

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Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.

In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.

Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.

Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.

According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.

He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.

He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.

Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.

He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.

Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.

He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.