IMA scam: "Mansoor Khan came to me with Roshan Baig," says Revenue Minister R V Deshpande
Bengaluru, Jun 17: Against the backdrop of the alleged financial fraud involving IMA jewels here, Revenue minister R V Deshpande Monday said Congress MLA R Roshan Baig had introduced the firm's owner Mohammed Mansoor Khan to him about two months ago but denied doing any undue favour.
Speaking to reporters, Deshpande said, "Mansoor had come to me along with Roshan Baig. What Baig told me was that he belong to his constituency (Shivajinagar).
He (Baig) said he (Khan) runs a good school and is a good man. He told me that he runs a jewellery shop and he spoke to me about some difficulties. I told him that whatever is possible within the framework of law I will do it.
I did say this. He did come to me. This is not a new story...we have not done any undue favours."
Recalling his meeting, Deshpande said there was a police report (about the firm) dated May 25, 2019 but the duo (Baig and Khan) came to him before it came out.
The police department had said IMA did not attract provisions of the Karnataka Protection of Interest of Depositors (KPID) Act after the RBI wanted the firm's deals be investigated.
Not satisfied with the report, the RBI wrote to the state government asking it to reinvestigate the matter. The police report reaffirmed that Khan's firm did not attract the provisions of the Act.
"We have been very clear. Though these reports have come, we have not given any clean chit to anybody," Deshpande told PTI.
Deshpande's remarks come against the backdrop of reports that an MLA took Khan along with him to a minister asking him to bail him out from the firm's crisis.
Repeated attempts to contact Baig proved futile.
Both Deshpande and Baig belong to the Congress.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team formed to probe the case, conducted raids at the residences of Khan and his wife, Tabassum.
Deputy commissioner of police S Girish, who is a member of the SIT, told reporters that some documents, gold, laptop and Rs 2.7 lakh in cash was seized from her house.
The laptop carried information vital to the investigation, Girish added.
The Karnataka High Court, hearing a batch of petitions from 18 investors seeking a CBI probe into the alleged fraud, Monday served notices onKhan, the state government and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The matter has been posted for hearing on June 28.
The city-based IMA jewels had allegedly cheated a large number of investors after promising them impressive returns on their deposits.
Seven directors of the firm were apprehended on June 12.
Khan went absconding after allegedly threatening to commit suicide in an audio clip.He even accused Roshan Baig of taking Rs 400 crore from himand not returning it.
Baig had rubbished the charge, alleging that his political adversaries had orchestrated the "series of events" to tarnish his character.
Senior Congress leader H K Patil has urged the state government to formulate regulations under a law that enables confiscation of properties of fraudsters and returning it to investors in 180 days.
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Lets win the world through love, friendship: Dr. Boby Chemmanur
Mangaluru: “Wars, bombings, mass killings etc. are happening all over the world for different reasons. However, none of us will be aware of what we have achieved from this. If everyone wants to live in peace, we all have to extend the hand of friendship. So let's win the world with friendship and love,” said businessman, social worker, donor Dr. Boby Chemmanur speaking after receiving honor from the Team B-Human in a program held at Kianza Garden near Someshwara Uchila on Saturday.
Boby revealed about not visiting Mangaluru despite invitations owing to the city's bad impression he had. “However, after watching Team-B Human's social service video, my perspective about Mangaloreans changed.” In addition he also promised to help the people of this region, including my fans through a charitable trust.
Expressing gratitude, he said, “Once upon a time I used to be a man who would flaunt my wealth. After my mind transformation, I learned to love and befriend the world. I myself paid one crore rupees for the release of Abdul Rahim, a young man from Kerala who was stuck in Saudi Arabia. My Mother, who would not give money to non-christians, gave Rs. 1 Lakh and encouraged the funding. Many people have helped me to achieve my goal. I am grateful to all of them.”
Inaugurating the program, Manjeshwar MLA A.K.M. Ashraf called Kerala a model for humanity in the country. “Even though Kerala has been portrayed in a distorted way by some individuals, the real story of Kerala is known as Boche created by Dr. Boby Chemmannur. It is commendable that Team B Human has honored such social workers.” Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader who joined the program virtually extended his best wishes.
The program, led by Asif Deals, Founder President of Team B-Human, also felicitated Sabita Shetty, Founder Managing Trustee of Tapasya Foundation, and Hanif Puttur, General Secretary of CRDF, Puttur.
Zakaria Jokatte- Managing Director of Al Muzain Group, Sharif Bolara- Managing Director of Whitestone, Mansoor Ahmad Azad- Chairman of Hidaya Foundation, Muhammad Kunhi-Managing Director of Shanti Prakashan, Abdul Latif Gurpur- Managing Director ANI Trading Company, Muzafar Ahmed-Trustee of Team-B Human, Abdullah Monu- Administrative Director Eurogroup Qatar , KA Bawa of Deals Group, Khayyum Manya- Trustee of Abhayam Dialysis Center Kasaragod, DK District Wakf Advisory Committee Vice Chairman-AK Jamal, Sameer Kasaragod, Naveen Hegde were present during the occasion.
Siraj, President of the Mangalore unit of Team B Human, extended a warm welcome, while motivational coach Rafeeq Master and Saif Sultan, founder of Hope Foundation, moderated the program.
