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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Leopard killed by gunfire in Mysuru district, K'taka Minister orders probe
Bengaluru (PTI): A leopard was allegedly shot dead in Mysuru district, prompting a probe by forest authorities.
Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and punish the guilty.
The incident occurred in the Koppa section, within the Periyapatna limits of Hunsur division, officials said.
The Minister issued a written instruction to the Chief Wildlife Warden, his office said in a statement.
He termed the death of a two-year-old female leopard by gunshot this morning as "very painful" and said poaching for wildlife organs is still ongoing.
He issued directions to conduct an inquiry in this regard.
Noting that Doctors who conducted postmortem have submitted a report that three bullets were found inside leopard's body, Khandre instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter, identify and punish the wildlife poachers as per the law, and take disciplinary action against the relevant patrol personnel if there were any lapse in patrolling in this area.
