BJP MLA K Gopalaiah alleges death threats from Bengaluru ex-Corporator, demands protection
Bengaluru: BJP MLA and former Minister K Gopalaiah on Wednesday told the Legislative Assembly that he and his family have received death threats from an ex-Corporator of the city's civic body and demanded protection.
Alleging that Padmaraj called him last night in an inebriated condition and used derogatory language against him and his family, he said, despite a complaint being filed immediately, police had still not arrested him.
Home Minister G Parameshwara, subsequently informed the Assembly that Padmaraj had been arrested some time ago, and legal action would follow.
''Last night around 11 pm, I received a phone call from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ex-Corporator Padmaraj, he demanded money. I cannot repeat the words he used insulting me in this House. He made derogatory comments against my family. He has even threatened to loot my house and has issued death threats to me and my family,'' Gopalaiah said.
Raising the issue during ''Zero Hour,'' he said he had information about Padmaraj, in an inebriated condition, issuing similar threats to several former Ministers and legislators like senior BJP MLA Suresh Kumar in the past.
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Stating that Padmaraj runs clubs in Basaveshwaranagar limits and is ''intoxicated'' with the money he gains from it, the MLA said, the former had taken help from him in the past in getting job or medical seats for people from his family or friends.
Demanding action against Padmaraj and that he should be exiled, he also sought protection to his family, fearing danger to them from him. He also urged shutting down all illegal clubs in Bengaluru, to put an end to such elements.
Noting that he has already given a police complaint in this regard, Gopalaiah said police have been waiting since last night in front of Padmaraj's house. ''After coming out from the inebriated condition he is said to come out of his house....police are waiting outside his house for about 10-11 hours now.'' Several BJP legislators including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka backed Gopalaiah and demanded justice for him.
''Gopalaiah's family is in politics, his wife was a Deputy Mayor in the past, if such a family has to go through all this, what's the situation of a common man? It has been several hours since the complaint was made, are the police waiting for him to come out of his inebriated condition to arrest him? It seems like royal treatment is being given to him,'' Ashoka said, demanding immediate strict action.
There should be no politics in this issue, he said, adding Padmaraj had been with all political parties in the past.
As Home Minister Parameshwara was initially not present in the House, Minister H C Mahadevappa, replying on behalf of the government, said action will be taken as per law.
Questioning the delay in the police taking action, Speaker U T Khader too directed the government to get Padmaraj arrested by the evening or suspend the police inspector there. ''The government has to give a strict message to such elements.'' Later, when Parameshwara came to the Assembly, he said a case has been registered in the Kamakshipalya police station, and police will arrest him by entering his house if required.
He subsequently on receiving an update from the officials, told the Assembly that Padmaraj has been arrested and legal action will follow.
Earlier, BJP MLA and state General secretary Sunil Kumar said, the situation has come to such a pass that even a legislator is forced to seek protection in the House. ''The Chair has to come to the protection, and the Speaker should direct the government,'' he said, questioning the delay in the arrest.
Another BJP MLA Suresh Kumar said, Ashoka and himself too have faced similar ''things'' from Padmaraj, and his activities are going on for a long time now. ''No where in Bengaluru clubs are functioning, but he is still running...The complaint was given last night against Padmaraj, who is in his house, but still why arrest has been made, he asked.
Former Home Minister and MLA Araga Jnanendra too, expressing similar sentiments, asked for a clarification on police inaction.
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Delhi Police busts Rs 300 crore international cyber fraud syndicate, arrests mastermind
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has busted a major international cyber fraud syndicate -- linked with over 2,000 complaints and scams worth over Rs 300 crore -- with the arrest of its alleged mastermind and 10 others, an official said on Sunday.
During the investigation, police uncovered a well-organised network operating across multiple states with links to international cyber fraud syndicates, particularly in Cambodia.
"We have so far identified over 260 bank accounts linked to more than 100 fictitious companies used to channel the proceeds of crime. The total number of complaints linked to the syndicate stands at 2,567," police said.
The key accused, Karan Kajaria, was apprehended at Kolkata airport on April 3 after a Look Out Circular was issued against him. He was brought to Delhi a day later for further investigation, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Aditya Gautam said.
The case came to light following a complaint by a city resident, Sultan, who alleged that he was duped of Rs 31.45 lakh after being lured into an investment scheme.
Police said the victim was persuaded to download a fake trading application and invest money with promises of high returns. However, when he attempted to withdraw the profits, the application stopped functioning, and the group became inaccessible.
"An FIR was registered at the cyber police station in northeast and later transferred to the crime branch for a detailed probe," the officer said.
The syndicate created fake investment platforms and messaging groups to lure victims. They used mule bank accounts arranged through intermediaries and deployed malicious applications to capture sensitive banking details, including OTPs. Funds collected from victims were routed through a complex web of bank accounts and shell companies to conceal the trail, police said.
"Kajaria, who is believed to be the main coordinator, maintained direct links with foreign-based operators and facilitated the movement of funds through cryptocurrency channels,' the DCP said.
He acted as a bridge between Indian operatives and international cyber criminals. He was also involved in procuring mule bank accounts and sharing sensitive banking details via encrypted social media platforms, the DCP added.
Police said Kajaria frequently travelled abroad to establish and strengthen links with overseas fraud networks and had attempted to evade arrest by staying outside India.
Technical surveillance helped investigators trace the network to Kolkata, where several bank accounts and shell entities were found to be operating. Upon his arrival in India, Kajaria was intercepted at the airport and taken into custody.
During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to his involvement in the syndicate, police said, adding that accounts linked to his network were associated with more than 2,500 complaints registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and fraud of Rs 300 crore, the DCP said.
The investigation revealed that the syndicate had been active for the past four to five years and operated on a large scale across multiple states.
During the crackdown, police recovered 48 mobile phones, 258 SIM cards, multiple ATM cards and cheque books, four laptops, and several banking and KYC documents. Funds amounting to Rs 19 lakh have also been frozen. A total of 11 accused have been arrested in the case so far, police said, adding that further investigation is underway to identify other members of the syndicate.
