Unaware of crisis at firm; directors of IMA Jewellers
“MD asked us to go on Ramadan leave”
Bengaluru, Jun 13: Seven directors of city based IMA Jewellers, at the centre of an alleged financial fraud that left thousands in the lurch, indicated to police Thursday that they were unaware of the crisis and that the owner had asked them to take long leave for Ramzan.
They said Mohammed Mansoor Khan had convened a meeting with them a few days prior to his disappearance and discussed investments in various locations, police said
Before the unsuspecting employees and its sister companies could return to work, they got news of Khan's 'disappearance' and thousands of panic stricken people rushing to the IMA office at Shivajinagar here, demanding action against the owner and directors.
The directors were apprehended yesterday from different locations in the city.
Meanwhile police said they found a white colour SUV, reportedly belonging to Khan, near a home of one of the directors, which had been parked there for quite some time.
Acting on a complaint from residents, police took custody of the car, which bore a Puducherry registration number.
As complaints swelled to about 26,000 on the third day of the news breaking out, poignant stories surfaced from the victims of the ponzi scheme fraud.
Investors told PTI that the Ulemas and Moulavis of some mosques vouched for IMA Jewellers, saying their money would be safe and the investment was as per the Islamic guidelines.
Tears rolling down his eyes, Mohammad Nasir from Bengaluru told PTI that an Ulema from a mosque in his area insisted that he deposit money in the firm.
"I trusted him and deposited Rs 20 lakh in it... Today Mansoor has disappeared. I have two daughters to take care of.
I have the liability of their education and marriage. I dont know how I am going to meet their requirements," said Nasir.
Umiya Bi from Chittur in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh said she had invested close to Rs 10 lakh in the company.
The Karnataka government had yesterday announced the setting up of the 11-member SIT, days after Mohammed Mansoor Khan went absconding after allegedly threatening to commit suicide in an audio clip.
In the audio clip, which went viral on the social media, Khan purportedly said he was committing suicide as he was fed up with corruption.
He had also alleged the Shivajinagar Congress MLA Roshan Baig took Rs 400 crore from him and was not returning it.
Baig had however rubbished the charge, alleging that his political adversaries had orchestrated the "series of events" to tarnish his character.
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Radha, Richa set up India Women's 21–run win, 5-0 T20I series sweep over Bangladesh
Sylhet (Bangladesh), May 9: Radha Yadav (3/24) ran through Bangladesh’s top-order after Richa Ghosh’s quickfire unbeaten 28 off 17 balls, setting up India’s 21–run win in the fifth T20I and a 5-0 series sweep here on Thursday.
Chasing a huge 157-run target, Bangladesh began promisingly but collapsed against the left-arm spinner Yadav. Despite the rearguard act by Ritu Moni (37, 33b, 4x4) and Shorifa Khatun (28 not out, 21b, 3x4s), the hosts finished at 135 for six in 20 overs.
All-rounder Moni and Shorifa put on a resolute stand of 57 runs for the sixth wicket to lead the fightback and put India in pressure, but the visitors prevailed eventually.
The stand between Moni and Khatun was also Bangladesh's highest for the sixth wicket in WT20Is, breaking the 32 between Sanjida Islam and Nigar Sultana.
It was leg-spinner Asha Sobhana (2/25) who broke the resilient partnership, cleaning up Moni in the 17th over to shut the doors on the home side.
Bangladesh were left reeling at 52 for five halfway through but Moni and Shorifa reignited their hopes, cashing in on every opportunity to score boundaries and with deft rotation of strike.
Yadav made her first impression in the game with an athletic catch to get rid of an on-song Sobhana Mostary (13) off Titas Sadhu. Mostary had hit three fours off Pooja Vastrakar’s first over to set her side on track during the chase.
After getting Dilara Akter (4), caught at mid-off by Vastrakar for her first breakthrough off her first ball, Yadav cleaned up Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana (7) and pinned Rubya Haider (20) in the front of the stumps for two wickets in the ninth over to derail the hosts.
Earlier, Ghosh smacked a handy little innings with three fours and a six to take India to 156 for five, providing a much-needed impetus after the visitors stumbled with a flurry of wickets.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (30), Dayalan Hemalatha (37) and S Sajana (1) fell in quick succession which allowed Bangladesh to halt India’s progress as they were aiming for a big score.
Harmanpreet and Hemalatha put on 60 runs for the third wicket for a strong foundation.
India’s 156 for five was the highest total of the series from either team with Smriti Mandhana setting the tone early on, hitting four fours and one six to make a fluent 33 off 25 balls.
Yadav finished as the highest wicket-taker in the series with 10 dismissals in five games whereas Mandhana’s 116 runs in five outings were the most for any batter.
