The wolves in Khaki clothing

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Following another allegation of bribery against the Central Crime Branch (CCB), an intense investigation into a raid recently conducted on a rave party in the city has been ordered, and the case has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Based on credible information regarding prostitution and drug abuse, CCB officials raided an apartment at Jade 735 Villa in Devanahalli under the Airport Police Station limits on September 6. Following the raid, CCB personnel reported that it had rescued some foreign women who were forced into prostitution, while an inquiry has been initiated against VIPs who had attended the rave party.

However, now it has been alleged that the CCB officials have dropped several names from the accused persons’ list, including those of sons of mining company owners and other “big shots,” to safeguard their interests. It is also alleged that one of the accused, identified as Ankit Jain, had been running a hawala racket and had been channeling crores of rupees to his clients.

During the raid, several officials, including three inspectors who were part of the raid, were allegedly paid a huge amount as a bribe by the accused for not filing any case against them. As the matter came to light, several officials from the CCB wrote to the Karnataka police chief, requesting that he hand over the further investigation of this case to the CID for a fair probe.

Meanwhile, an inquiry has been initiated against at least three CCB police inspectors in connection with the allegations.