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Enforcement Directorate arrests Karnataka Congress MLA K C Veerendra ‘Puppy’ in Sikkim for illegal betting, seizes cash, gold, and links to Dubai casinos.
The investigation revealed a huge illegal betting network, including links to international casinos and gaming operations in Dubai. (X)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Karnataka Congress MLA K C Veerendra ’Puppy’ from Sikkim under the anti-money laundering law for his alleged involvement in illegal online and offline betting.
The MLA, who was in Gangtok along with his associates, for allegedly leasing a piece of land for a casino, was arrested a day after the probe agency conducted a raid on his 30 premises in multiple states, which led to the seizure of Rs 12 crore cash, including around 1 crore in foreign currency, gold jewellery worth Rs 6 crore and silver articles around 10 kg, along with four vehicles.
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The ED concluded the raids on Saturday from 31 locations that included Chitradurga, Hubballi and Bengaluru in Karnataka, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Sikkim, Mumbai and Goa. Five casinos in Goa named Puppy’s Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino, Puppy’s Casino Pride, Ocean 7 Casino and Big Daddy Casino were also raided.
It did not specify exactly what was seized from where. A picture issued by the agency showed huge wads of currency notes kept on a casino table.
The probe agency said the 50-year-old MLA from Chitradurga Assembly seat in Karnataka was taken into custody from Sikkim’s capital on Friday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with an “illegal” online and offline betting case. He was produced before a designated magistrate and a transit remand was obtained for producing him before the jurisdictional court in Bengaluru, the agency said.
The Bengaluru zone of the ED is investigating the case.
The investigation revealed a huge illegal betting network, including links to international casinos and gaming operations in Dubai.
“Many property-related documents were also seized from the premises of Veerendra’s brother K C Nagaraj and his son Pruthvi N Raj. His other associates like another brother K C Thippeswamy are handling operations of online gaming from Dubai,” the ED said.
As per the probe agency, Veerendra is accused of running online betting sites like King567, Raja567, Puppy’s003, Rathna Gaming, and his brother K C Thippeswamy is alleged to be “operating” three business entities from Dubai named Diamond Softech, TRS Technologies and Prime9Technologies.
Investigators also recovered multiple international casino membership cards from MGM, Bellagio, Metropolitan, Marina and Casino Jewel, along with luxury hotel memberships of Taj, Hyatt and The Leela, and several high-value credit and debit cards.
These entities are “related” to the call centre services and the gaming business of Veerendra, according to the ED.
The agency said it has also frozen about 17 bank accounts and 2 lockers during the searches, even as some Instagram posts claiming the MLA had the “biggest car collection” in Chitradurga with 003 registration number plate are under probe.
The ownership and source of funds of these high-end vehicles are being investigated.
(With inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
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