Cyber crooks threaten two with digital arraignment in ‘court of CJI Gavai’, dupe them of Rs 6.72 cr
Mumbai (PTI): Two senior citizens from Nashik lost Rs 6.72 crore in separate incidents after unidentified cyber crooks threatened to place them under "digital arrest" and virtually produce them in the court of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, police said on Tuesday.
Nashik cyber police registered an FIR on Monday and launched an investigation into the incidents that occurred in September, an official said.
Police stated that the victims included 74-year-old Anil Lalsare, a resident of the Gangapur Road area, who is suffering from age-related ailments. Lalasare's wife has been bedridden for the last two-and-a-half years after suffering a stroke. She needs oxygen support.
The couple's son lives abroad.
"Lalasare received a call from an unknown number. The caller told him that a credit card linked to his Aadhaar card had been used for financial fraud. He told Lalasare that he would be placed under digital arrest and produced before the court of CJI Gavai if he fails to pay a fine of Rs 72 lakh", the FIR stated.
The caller also threatened the complainant with arrest by a "CBI" team if he fails to pay money and undergo interrogation in New Delhi.
"Lalasare, who couldn't walk properly due to age-related illness, went to the bank and deposited Rs 72 lakh in the account number provided by the caller", police said.
The fraud came to light on October 13 when Lalasare's relatives arrived at his residence to meet the old couple.
In another incident, an elderly man fell prey to a similar modus operandi used by cyber fraudsters.
The FIR stated that the man was threatened to be placed under "digital arrest" and produced in the CJI's court since his SIM card was used for circulating obscene photos and videos.
He ended up paying Rs 6 crore to avoid digital arrest, another police official said.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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