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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Fan tries to die by suicide over Nikhil Kumaraswamy's bypoll loss
Bengaluru: Channapatna JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who lost the byelection to C.P. Yogeshwar of Congress, on Sunday consoled a fan who reportedly attempted to end his life and requested him not to repeat such acts.
Manjunath, fondly called Abhi, had even penned a letter before taking the dangerous step. Nikhil, who called on Manjunath at the latter’s home in Kudloor in Channapatna, expressed shock and sadness over the incident.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy reassured Manjunath, expressing his support during the difficult time. He told him that he was deeply troubled to learn of this incident and emphasised that he would stand by him. Nikhil also promised to offer assistance in any way he could, including helping him secure employment opportunities in the future, as reported by the Deccan Herald.
He also reminded Manjunath of the importance of his children’s well-being, urging him to focus on their future. “Please, look at the faces of your growing children. Even I have a three-year-old son. The children are young, let us take care of their future also. I will arrange some job opportunities for you. I might not be an MLA but this is a challenge. I will get you employed,” he said.
Nikhil told media persons that he is extremely hurt more by Manjunath’s attempt to die than by his loss in the election. “At 7:30 a.m., we got a message that in Valetoopu, Manjunath had consumed poison yesterday. In Channapatna, our workers and leaders have built this party with zeal. Let the admiration be there in your hearts but if it crosses the line, your families get hurt and we get very pained by it,” he was quoted as saying by the publication.
Speaking of his byelection loss, Nikhil reiterated that the JD(S) had got its traditional votes, but that the votes of a particular community went against the party.
“Deve Gowda gave reservation to a community. We tried our last attempt to take that community into confidence. But they conveyed to us that they do not require us. In future, we will take other communities into confidence,” he remarked in a veiled reference to Muslims.
Nikhil lost the election by a margin of 25,413 votes to Congress candidate C.P. Yogeshwar.
