Bengaluru techie arrested for staging robbery to snatch ex-boyfriend’s phone
Bengaluru: A 29-year-old techie and four accomplices have been arrested for staging a robbery to seize her ex-boyfriend’s mobile phone, which reportedly contained private pictures of the two. Initially viewed as a road rage case, police investigations later revealed that the incident was a planned heist orchestrated by the woman.
The accused, P Shruti, along with four men — Manoj Kumar, Suresh Kumar, Honnappa, and Venkatesh, all residents of Kodathi — have been booked on charges of dacoity. Shruti’s friend, Dumpa Vamshi Krishna Reddy of Singasandra, had filed a complaint stating that they were robbed of their phones near a commercial store’s parking lot in Bhoganahalli around 8.30 pm on September 20.
Reddy’s complaint mentioned that a Swift Dzire car rammed into their vehicle from behind, and when he confronted the occupants, two men got out of the car and snatched their mobile phones. However, upon investigation, police discovered that no accident had occurred at the location. The accused reportedly blocked Reddy and Shruti, falsely claiming they had hit their vehicle, and fled with the phones.
Tracing the vehicle led the police to the cab’s driver, who revealed that the car had been booked for four hours. Following this lead, the police apprehended Manoj, a painter, who confessed that the robbery was a premeditated act, arranged by Shruti in exchange for Rs 1.1 lakh.
According to the police, Shruti and Reddy had been in a relationship and were planning to marry, but the relationship soured over personal issues. Fearing that Reddy might misuse their private photos, Shruti sought to get hold of his mobile phone despite his assurances that he had deleted the images. Suspecting otherwise, Shruti allegedly hatched the robbery plan and enlisted Manoj, who had worked at her house a few months earlier, to execute the plan.
After obtaining the mobile phones, Shruti’s attempts to access Reddy’s device were unsuccessful as it was locked. She then discarded the phone by throwing it into Singasandra Lake, the police said.
The Bellandur police have registered a case and arrested all five accused, including Shruti, for their involvement in the crime.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
