CCB arrest eight offenders on charges of fraud, robbery and drug cases

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda held a press briefing on Tuesday during which he shared the details about the recent arrests made by the city police.

In one such incident, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths arrested a person allegedly involved in extorting money from government officials by posing as a Lokayukta official.

The accused was identified by the police as Srinivas Reddy, a native of Andhra Pradesh.

The arrest was made based on a complaint filed at the Vidhana Soudha Police Station by one of the victims, Ramdas, a government official in Bengaluru.

Explaining the modus operandi, the police chief said that the accused was allegedly inspired by a movie and used to target the government officials by posing as Lokayukta Inspector.

"The accused has a criminal history of robberies dating back to 2007. He was inspired by a Telugu movie and started extorting money from government officials," he said.

Dayananda further said that the accused had extorted over 50 officials in Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh following a similar pattern.

It was learnt that Srinivas Reddy was an SSLC dropout after which he became involved in various theft crimes since 2007.

As many as 36 cases are registered against him in Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, the police chief said.

Peddler arrested: CCB seize drugs worth Rs 8.4 lakh

In yet a separate incident, the CCB seized drugs worth Rs 8.40 lakh after arresting a peddler in the city.

Without naming the accused, the Bengaluru Police Chief said that the peddler was a resident of Domlur and was arrested by the CCB officials with the assistance of Halasuru Police.

Following the arrest, the CCB sleuths seized drugs including 25 grams MDMA crystals, 30 Ecstacy tablets, 1.54 kg ganja and devices including mobile phones used in the crime.

The accused had intended to gain more profits by supplying drugs at a high price during the New Year celebration here. It was learnt that he had bought the illicit items from another local peddler.

Meanwhile the police are trying to find his links in the city. A case has been registered at the Halasuru Police Station against the accused and investigation is underway.

Armed gang of robbers arrested: A gang of six men was arrested by the CCB for allegedly waylaying and robbing the motorists on the road towards Hindu Rudra Bhoomi in Govindapura here.

The Bengaluru Police Commissioner said that the accused persons identified as Chandan, Manu, Pavan, Lokesh, Darshan and Vasanth, were involved in armed robberies.

"The accused would stop motorists on the way and threaten them with machetes and sharp weapons in order to terrorize and rob them of their valuables," said the police chief.

A complaint was filed by one of the victims, following which a special team was formed to nab the accused, he added.

Taking swift action, the CCB sleuths from the crime wing of Bengaluru West division tracked and caught the accused red-handed from the spot and seized three bikes from their possession.

Among those arrested, Manu had a dacoity case filed against him in 2018 at KG Halli Police Station.

A case against the six accused was registered at the Govindapura Police Station and further probe is being carried out.