Madikeri: Three arrested for trapping, extorting money from retired army man using fake marriage
Madikeri: Three individuals have been apprehended by the Kodagu police for orchestrating a fake marriage and subsequently extorting an unmarried retired soldier.
The victim, identified as John Mathew (64) from Ernakulam district in Kerala, was lured into a deceitful marriage scheme that led to threats and extortion.
The arrested suspects have been named as Abdul Basheer (29) from Bantwal, Sadiq (30) from Kadaba, and Faizal. While Basheer and Sadiq were captured by the Kodagu Police on Sunday, Faizal was already in custody in connection with a separate criminal case in Mysuru. Another accomplice, Amir, remains at large, prompting the police to initiate efforts to apprehend him.
The police confiscated three mobile phones used in the commission of the crime, along with Rs. 1,05,000 in cash and a cheque worth Rs. 2,10,000 from the possession of the arrested individuals.
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According to reports, Faizal, who served as a driver for John Mathew, convinced him to enter into a marriage by assuring him a happy life. On November 26, 2023, Faizal invited John to a homestay in Madikeri, falsely claiming that he would be wed to a woman he knew. Abdul Basheer, Sadiq, and Amir facilitated the fake marriage and arranged for their stay.
However, the situation took a turn when, on the same evening, the four accused blackmailed John, demanding Rs. 10 lakh and threatening to expose the fake marriage to his family. Distressed by the threats, John paid Rs. 8 lakh in cash and provided a cheque for the remaining balance. Realizing he had been deceived, John filed a case, leading to the subsequent arrests.
Madikeri Sub Division DySP Jagadish M, CPI Anoop Madappa, DCRB PI I.P. Medappa, Madikeri Town PSI Lokesh, and other law enforcement officials conducted a coordinated operation to apprehend the accused. Kodagu District Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan commended the efficiency of the police officers and staff involved in the case. A special team has been formed to locate the absconding accused, Amir.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
