Bengaluru: In a significant development in the ongoing Chaithra Kundapur cheating case involving pro-Hindu activists, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have made a substantial recovery of approximately 80% of the alleged Rs. 5 crores paid out in the BJP MLA ticket scam.
The successful operation led to the retrieval of several assets, including Rs. 80 lakhs in cash, jewelry valued at Rs. 23 lakhs, Rs. 1.08 crore deposited in bank accounts, and a car worth Rs. 12 lakhs, all owned by Chaithra Kundapur herself. Additionally, Rs. 26 lakh was successfully recovered from the accused individuals Gagan Kadur and Danarash Ramesh.
Recent developments also saw the CCB police confiscating Rs. 56 lakhs in cash and a vehicle worth Rs. 25 lakhs from seer Abhinava Halashree, who is identified as accused number 3 in the cheating case. The total recovery thus far stands at an impressive Rs. 4 crores, and the investigation continues as the police question the accused parties to locate the remaining funds.
This complex case has led to a total of eight arrests, with notices issued to four additional individuals who are expected to appear for questioning. The investigative team has diligently recorded statements from key figures, including Chaithra Kundapur, Gagan Kadur, Ramesh, Chenna Naik, Dhanaraj, and Srikanth. Abhinava Halashree remains under continuous police interrogation.
The BJP MLA ticket scam initially came to light when businessman Govind Babu Pujari filed a formal complaint, alleging that he had been deceived by Chaithra Kundapur and her associates. Pujari’s grievance centers on claims that he disbursed funds to Chaithra, Abhinava Halashree, and others with the promise of securing a BJP ticket for the Byndoor constituency in Udupi District.