Protest erupts after youth goes missing in Farangipete
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Mar 1 (PTI): A 19-year-old youth was found missing since February 25 and according to family members, he had left home saying he was going to a temple but did not return, raising suspicions about his disappearance.
Diganth was a resident of Amemar village in Farangipete.
This incident erupted into a public outcry on Saturday and organisations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and its leaders took to the roads protesting and alleging police inaction.
Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad visited Diganth's residence and expressed solidarity with his family. Alleging police inaction, local residents staged a spontaneous shutdown in Farangipete from early morning, demanding a thorough investigation into the case.
Protesters claimed that Diganth's disappearance might be linked to local drug cartels and accused the police of failing to conduct a proper inquiry.
As tensions escalated, demonstrators expressed anger against the government, urging authorities to ensure a fair probe.
Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MLA V Bharat Shetty, and leaders of Hindu organisations participated in the protest.
It is deeply disturbing that it’s been five days since Master Diganth has gone missing…but there has been no fruitful effort to find him.
— Captain Brijesh Chowta ಕ್ಯಾಪ್ಟನ್ ಬ್ರಿಜೇಶ್ ಚೌಟ (@CaptBrijesh) March 1, 2025
Joined our party leaders, karyakartas & the people of Farangipete in demanding swift investigation to trace him at the earliest. pic.twitter.com/IpHPoqeoCX
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ED raids Kolkata Police deputy commissioner, businessman in PMLA probe
Kolkata (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday conducted raids at the premises of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and a local businessman as part of a money laundering probe against an alleged criminal and his linked syndicate in the poll-bound state, officials said.
Two premises of Biswas, including his residence in Ballygunge area and one location of the businessman named Joy Kamdar, Managing Director of a company named Sun Enterprise, have been raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Kamdar has been taken by the officials to the local ED office for questioning. Biswas, chief coordinator and nodal officer of the West Bengal and Kolkata Police welfare committee, was not present at his premises, they said.
The action is linked to a money laundering case against an alleged local criminal named Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, who is booked in multiple cases on charges of attempted murder and extortion.
The federal probe agency had conducted the first round of searches in this case on April 1.
The ED had then seized cash of Rs 1.47 crore apart from gold jewellery and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh and a country-made revolver from some premises that were searched.
The probe stems from a Kolkata Police FIR against against Podder for his alleged involvement in rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and Arms Act violations. The accused, including Podder, were engaged in organised criminal syndicate activities in the state of West Bengal and generated funds illegally by way of syndicate operations, the ED said in a statement on April 9.
Podder is also wanted by the police in a case of violence in Kankulia road near Golpark of Kolkata and is currently on the run.
The ED has issued summons to Podder but he has failed to join the investigation so far, according to the agency.
West Bengal will have a two phase poll on April 23 and April 29.
