IMA group ponzi scam: ED attaches Rs 209-cr assets under PMLA; summons Karnataka minister
Bengaluru, Jun 28: The Enforcement Directorate Friday issued notice to Karnataka minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan to appear before it in connection with the IMA group ponzi scam, a top official of the agency said.
"We have issued a notice to Zameer Ahmed Khan. We have given one week's time to appear before us," the official said.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had recently filed a criminal case of money laundering against the IMA group of companies and its absconding managing director Mohammed Mansoor Khan after reports emerged that he has gone underground fearing investments worth crores of about 40,000 investors have tanked.
The ED Friday attached IMA Jewels' assets, worth Rs 209 crore, in its money laundering probe into the alleged ponzi scam.
The central agency said it's Bengaluru zonal office has issued a provisional order, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, for attachment of immovable assets worth Rs 197 crore and about Rs 12 crore deposits in bank accounts.
The BJP's Karnataka unit recently demanded a CBI probe into the alleged fraud and also raised questions about Zameer Khan's alleged links with Mansoor Khan.
"While asking him (Mansoor) to come back, Zameer, who is a minister, has said that 'the government is with you (Mansoor), don't fear'. What does this mean? The chief minister has to answer," state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa had said.
Hitting back at Yeddyurappa, Zameer Khan had said it was he who took the initiative after the incident came to light and sought a SIT probe.
Mansoor Khan went absconding weeks ago, after he, in an audio clip, allegedly threatened to commit suicide.
After the audio clip went viral, panicked investors, most of them Muslims, had swarmed the firm's office at Shivajinagar in thousands, demanding action against the owner and directors.
Mansoor Khan had also alleged that Shivajinagar Congress MLA Roshan Baig took Rs 400 crore from him and was not returning it, a charge rubbished by Baig.
The state government has set up a 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.
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Azim Premji Foundation Scholarship: How to apply, when to apply; details here
Bengaluru: The Azim Premji Foundation has announced the Azim Premji Scholarship for the academic year 2025–26, aimed at supporting up to 2.5 lakh girls across 18 Indian states who are pursuing higher education after completing school. An official release from the foundation also stated that in the coming years the scholarship will be implemented across the country.
When to Apply:
According to a release from the foundation, the application process for the Azim Premji Scholarship 2025–26 will commence in September 2025. “Details of the program and any changes in the program design or coverage will be notified at the start of the application process,” the release added.
Where to Apply:
According to the release, the scholarship this year will be implemented across 18 states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Students residing in these states and enrolled in recognised higher education institutions will be eligible to apply.
How to Apply:
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Girls who have completed their Class 10 and 12 education in government (public) schools and have secured admission in a bona fide higher education institution either a government-run college/university or select private institutions can apply for the scholarship.
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Once the application portal opens in September, students will be required to submit personal details, educational qualifications, proof of admission, and bank account information.
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The scholarship amount ₹30,000 per year will be transferred directly into the students' bank accounts in two instalments each academic year, read the release.
