Third charge sheet filed against Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja
Allegations include obstruction of forest department officials in land dispute
Belthangady: Another charge sheet has been lodged against Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja in the Bengaluru People's Representatives Court, alongside 17 other individuals, including Vidhan Parishad member Pratap Simha Naik.
The case stems from an incident approximately eight months ago when a dispute arose between officials and public representatives during the attempted eviction of encroached forest department land in Kalenja village. In response to the eviction, MLA Harish Poonja and BJP workers reportedly reconstructed a house at the contested site. Subsequently, when forest department officials moved to vacate the structure on October 9, 2023, Poonja, Naik, and others allegedly obstructed their efforts, leading to a significant altercation.
The Dharmasthala police, following an investigation, filed a charge sheet on June 1, citing obstruction of official duty against the accused individuals.
This marks the third charge sheet against MLA Harish Poonja, following prior allegations related to his involvement in illegal stone pelting and subsequent disturbances at the Belthangady police station, as well as his purported participation in a protest held without permission, which reportedly involved threats against the police.
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Senior citizen duped of Rs 23.5 lakh on threat of digital arrest in Thane district
Thane (PTI): A 68-year-old man was allegedly cheated of Rs 23.5 lakh by cyber fraudsters who threatened him with digital arrest in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Monday.
This is a second such incident reported in the district this week, an official said.
Based on a complaint, the Kalyan police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, Assistant Inspector Vinod Patil of Mahatma Phule police station said.
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"The complainant alleged that two unidentified persons cheated him of Rs 23.5 lakh by threatening to place him under digital arrest and forced him to transfer money through online transactions between December 8 and 12," Patil said.
'Digital arrest’ is a growing form of cybercrime in which fraudsters pose as law enforcement officials or personnel of government agencies and intimidate victims through audio/video calls. They hold the victims hostage and put pressure on them to pay money.
He said that the accused allegedly contacted the victim on WhatsApp video calls and claimed that his bank transactions were suspicious and linked to alleged irregularities.
"The fraudsters told him that he could be placed under digital arrest, but assured him that they would help him avoid legal action if he cooperated," the officer said.
He said that the accused repeatedly threatened the senior citizen and put pressure on him to make multiple online money transfers amounting to Rs 23.5 lakh.
The fraud came to light after the victim narrated the incident to acquaintances and approached the police on realising he had been duped.
"We are analysing bank transaction details, call records and digital evidence to track down the accused," Patil said.
