CCB recovers 80% of Rs 5 cr in BJP MLA ticket scam

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In the ongoing investigation into the BJP MLA cheating scandal, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have successfully recovered a significant portion of the allegedly paid Rs 5 crore to pro-Hindu activist Chaitra Kundapur and other associates.

The recovered assets include Rs 80 lakh in cash, jewellery valued at Rs 23 lakh, Rs 1.08 crore in bank funds, and a KIA car worth Rs 12 lakh registered under Chaithra's name.

Additionally, accused individuals Gagan Kadur and Danarash Ramesh have returned Rs 26 lakh. Recently, the CCB police confiscated Rs 56 lakh in cash and a car worth Rs 25 lakh from seer Abhinava Halashree, who is designated as A3 in the cheating case.

So far, a total of Rs 4 crore has been recovered in the ongoing investigation, with further inquiries underway, as reported by TV9 Kannada. Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, and notices have been issued to four others for questioning.

Investigating officials have recorded statements from Chaithra, Gagan, Ramesh, Chenna Naik, Dhanaraj, and Srikanth. Abhinava Halashree is currently undergoing questioning by the police.

The BJP MLA ticket scam was exposed following a complaint by businessman Govind Babu Poojari, who alleged that he was deceived by Chaithra and her associates.

Poojari claimed that he had paid money to Chaitra, Abhinava Halashree, and others based on promises of securing a BJP ticket for him in the Byndoor constituency of Udupi District.