Two foreign nationals arrested in Bengaluru; CCB seizes drugs worth Rs 28.75 cr
Bengaluru (PTI): With the arrest of two foreign nationals, police on Wednesday said they have seized over 10 kg of MDMA crystal and eight kg of hydro ganja, with an estimated market value of around Rs 28.75 crore.
The arrests were made by the Bengaluru City Central Crime Branch (CCB) Narcotics Wing as part of ongoing operations against drug peddlers, officials said. The identities of the arrested foreign nationals have not been disclosed.
According to the statement, a foreign woman residing in Sampigehalli had been storing MDMA at her residence and selling it to known customers. During a recent raid, the woman was detained, and 9 kg 254 grams of MDMA crystal worth approximately Rs 18.50 crore, along with a mobile phone and other items used in the crime, were seized.
In a separate operation in Siddapura Police Station limits, police acted on information about a foreign national frequently loitering near the basketball court close to Lalbagh South Gate and allegedly involved in drug peddling.
A raid led to the arrest of the suspect, and 1 kg 115 grams of MDMA crystal worth around Rs 2.25 crore, along with items used in the crime, were seized.
Further, based on intelligence from Customs officials regarding prohibited narcotic substances found in parcels at the Foreign Post Office in Chamarajpet, police conducted an operation and seized eight kg of hydro ganja valued at around Rs eight crore.
Police said the accused had purchased the hydro ganja from foreign sources, packaged it systematically, and arranged for it to be brought to Bengaluru. Investigations are ongoing to trace others involved.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
