New Delhi, Oct 15: A man was allegedly stabbed to death by a group of assailants in southeast Delhi’s Kalindi Kunj area in a suspected revenge killing linked to a past rivalry in jail, police said. Three accused have been arrested so far, and further investigation is underway.

The deceased, Shahid Hussain, a resident of Abul Fazal Enclave-II in Shaheen Bagh, was taken to Apollo Hospital by Constable Avdesh of Kalindi Kunj police station. A medico-legal certificate issued at 5.32 p.m. by the hospital stated that Hussain had been brought dead.

Police reached Shriram Chowk after Head Constable Manish informed the duty officer about the stabbing. An abandoned scooter was found at the scene, with bloodstains nearby.

According to the preliminary account shared with the police, Hussain had gone to meet Shabid Malik alias Monu, a resident of Madanpur Khadar, in Basantpur, Haryana. The two allegedly met at a restaurant and consumed beer. While Hussain was returning on his scooter, four men riding a black Splendor motorcycle with silver stripes allegedly intercepted him and stabbed him before fleeing.

Shabid Malik was detained for questioning. Police later apprehended Karan alias Karam Shah, 21, a resident of JJ Colony in Madanpur Khadar, near Samosa Chowk. Investigators were informed that Karan had been riding the motorcycle and had sustained a stab injury to his left leg during the attack, according to the police account.

During questioning, Karan allegedly told investigators that the murder was planned to avenge an earlier rivalry between Hussain, also known as Chhota Chor, and Tarun alias Ranjan, who had allegedly been injured by Hussain while in jail. Tarun reportedly feared that Hussain might target him after his release.

Police said Tarun and Shabid allegedly planned to lure Hussain to a beer party and attack him on his return journey. The police account also names Gaurav Gumma, Aman and Raja as alleged participants in the conspiracy. Abuzar alias Sonu, 27, allegedly provided his newly purchased Splendor motorcycle for the crime.

Police said three accused have been arrested and will be produced before a judicial magistrate. Investigators will seek four days of police custody remand. Further investigation is underway.

Kochi, Oct 15: In a major relief to former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Tomin J. Thachankary, the Kerala High Court on Thursday suspended the sentence awarded to him in a disproportionate assets case, nearly a month after he was sent to jail in a historic first involving a retired DGP-rank officer in the state.

Thachankary had been in jail since September 18, when the Kottayam Vigilance Court sentenced him to four years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 30.84 lakh.

His conviction marked an unprecedented moment in Kerala’s policing history, with a former police chief ranked officer being sent to prison following a corruption conviction.

The High Court’s decision to suspend the sentence offers immediate legal relief to the former senior IPS officer.

However, it does not amount to an acquittal, and his challenge to the conviction remains to be decided.

The dramatic turn in Thachankary’s fortunes comes after a long career marked by power, influence and political connections.

At the height of his career, he was widely regarded as a close aide of the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

He also had good links with former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, giving him access to political circles across party lines.

But his fortunes took a sharp turn on September 18, when he was sent to prison following the Vigilance Court verdict.

The case, which had remained under investigation and trial for years, finally resulted in his conviction after a prolonged legal battle.

The case relates to allegations that Thachankary accumulated assets disproportionate to his known sources of income between January 2003 and July 2007, when he was serving as a senior police officer.

The court rejected his explanation regarding the source of funds used to purchase several properties, leading to his conviction under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Thachankary challenged the conviction before the High Court, arguing that the trial court had misread the evidence and relied on incorrect calculations.

He also contended that income and assets linked to his wife had not been properly considered.

The suspension of his sentence marks a significant development in the case.

The final outcome will depend on the High Court’s consideration of his appeal against the conviction.

Hyderabad, Oct 14: After a 72-year-old woman in Hyderabad lost Rs 2.20 crore to fraudsters who threatened her with money laundering charges and displayed fake arrest warrant, Hyderabad Police has issued a fresh advisory cautioning citizens to stay alert against digital arrest fraud.

The woman, a resident of Nampally, received a video call from someone claiming to be a CBI officer, alleging that a parcel containing illegal drugs has been booked in the victim’s name and that a bank account linked to the victim is involved in money laundering.

The caller displayed a fake arrest warrant and threatened to arrest her. On the pretext of security deposits, the victim was forced to transfer multiple amounts to different mule accounts. The victim suffered a total financial loss of Rs 2.20 crore.

After this and a couple of other cases in which the victims lost Rs 3.15 crore, the police have strongly advised the general public to remain vigilant and not fall prey to cyber criminals.

M. Srinivasulu, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes & SIT), said in a press release on Wednesday that the Cyber Crime Police Station Hyderabad City, in coordination with the local police stations, has conducted several awareness programmes and door-to-door campaigns to educate citizens on digital arrest scams and their modus operandi, which contributed to a reduction in the number of reported digital arrest cases. However, a few such cases continue to be reported.

Digital arrest is a scam designed to extort money from victims using fear, deceit, and intimidation. Cyber criminals impersonate Police Officers, CBI, ED, Customs, TRAI, or other government authorities and threaten innocent citizens with arrest, criminal prosecution, or account freezing to coerce victims into paying a “fine” or “security deposit” to avoid legal action.

According to the police official, fraudsters contact victims through phone calls, WhatsApp, SMS, or video calls. They may claim that a mobile number, bank account, Aadhaar, parcel, or identity document has been linked to a criminal activity. The caller poses as an officer of the police, CBI, ED, NCB, customs, or another government agency. Fraudsters may use fake identity cards, forged notices, official-looking letterheads, logos, and fabricated case documents. They set up a fake police station with uniforms for video call backgrounds.

The victim is falsely accused of involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering, terror financing, illegal transactions, identity theft, or a money-laundering investigation. In some cases, the fraudster claims that a parcel containing illegal substances has been intercepted in the victim’s name.

The victim is instructed to remain on a continuous video call, stay alone in a room, keep the camera switched on, and avoid contacting family members, lawyers, or other persons. The fraudsters threaten immediate arrest, handcuffing, or harm to the victim’s reputation if instructions are disobeyed, the Additional Commissioner said.

Fraudsters demand bank statements, account balances, identity documents, and details of investments. They may send fabricated arrest warrants, court orders, or account-freezing notices to make the allegations appear genuine.

The victim is instructed to transfer money to designated bank accounts under the pretext of security deposits, verification of legitimate funds, bail, or temporary transfer of funds for investigation. If the funds are short, they coerce the victim to break the Fixed Deposits/Security bonds/apply for bank loans, etc. Fraudsters may promise to return the money after verification.

After receiving the money, the fraudsters may demand additional payments by inventing new charges or allegations. Eventually, they disconnect communications, block the victim, and become unreachable.

Additional Commissioner said citizens should educate their family members, particularly senior citizens and other vulnerable individuals, about digital arrest scams and their modus operandi. Family members should be advised to immediately inform a trusted family member whenever they receive such threatening calls or video calls and never transfer money or share financial or personal information under pressure.

Citizens have been urged not to panic if they receive threatening video calls or messages claiming to be from CBI, RBI, ED, Customs, Judiciary, Cyber Crime Police, Narcotics Bureau, FedEx, BSNL, TRAI, or similar agencies. No government agency or law enforcement authority will demand money over phone or video calls. There is no concept of “digital arrest” or online enquiry in the system.

They should end the suspicious call and contact the concerned agency through its officially published contact details. Do not allow the caller to isolate you or prevent you from seeking independent assistance. Always take support from your family members or a trusted person.

Save phone numbers, call logs, WhatsApp chats, video-call details, bank account information, transaction IDs, and screenshots to be taken immediately.

“If you fall victim to any such cyber fraud, immediate reporting can help in freezing and recovering part or all of your lost amount,” added the official.