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Sasikala’s nephew quizzed in Kodanad heist and murder case

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In a major development in the Kodanad murder and heist case of April 2017, V.K. Sasikala’s nephew and Managing Director of Jaya news channel Vivek Jayaraman has been quizzed by the Nilgiris police, sources said on Thursday.

The DMK government had reopened the case.

He was questioned on Wednesday by a special police team from 1.40 p.m. till 5 p.m. in presence of his advocate.

This is the first time, a person close to Sasikala’s family is being questioned in the case. Highly placed sources in Nilgiris police told IANS that Vivek Jayaraman was questioned after the manager of Kodanad estate Natarajan during his questioning had said that Vivek was looking after the affairs of the estate since the incident of heist and murder.

Kodanad estate, a 900-acre property in the Nilgiris district, belonged to late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and her aide V.K. Sasikala. This was the summer home of the former Chief Minister.

On April 23, 2017, after the passing away of Jayalalithaa and Sasikala behind the bars at Bengaluru in a disproportionate asset case, robbers barged into the estate bungalow and murdered a security guard Om Bahadhur and grievously injured another, Krishna Thapa.

The prosecution case was that a group of people led by the former driver of Jayalalithaa, C . Kanagaraj, along with 11 other men, entered the bungalow on April 23, 2017 at 10.30 pm and attacked the security guards in which Krishna Thapa was injured and Om Bahadhur killed.

It was alleged that Kanagaraj had told another gang member K.V. Sayan from Kerala that Rs 200 crore was stashed in the estate bungalow but the gang could get only 10 expensive watches and a crystal rhino that was worth Rs 42,000.

Five days after the heist, Kanagaraj who hails from former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s village, died in an accident. The same day, a lorry rammed into the car in which K.V. Sayan and his family were travelling at Palakkad in Kerala killing his wife and daughter while Sayan escaped with minor injuries.

The Computer operator of the estate, Dhinesh Kumar was found hanging at his residence on July 3, 2017 months after the heist and murder at the Kodanad bungalow.

After the DMK government assumed office, the case was reopened and 81 people were quizzed and three accused, Deepu, Santhosh Swami and M.S. Satheeshan had filed a petition before the Madras High Court to question Sasikala in the case.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, had during the run-up to the 2021 Assembly elections publicly stated that the Kodanad estate case would be reopened and the real perpetrators of the crime booked.

The AIADMK had after the case being reopened retorted that the DMK government was trying to settle scores with the party using the Kodanad estate case and was trying to frame former Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami in the case.

Crime

Suspicious passenger apprehended at Delhi Jama Masjid Metro Station after trying to flee during screening

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Alert personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) apprehended a passenger at Delhi’s Jama Masjid Metro Station after he allegedly attempted to flee when a suspicious object was detected during his baggage screening.

According to the CISF, the incident came to light when the passenger’s baggage was being screened through an X-ray Baggage Inspection System (XBIS). During the examination, personnel noticed a dense and suspicious object on the scanner screen.

Sensing something unusual, the security personnel attempted to examine the matter further. However, the passenger allegedly tried to escape from the screening area, according to CISF.

Displaying promptness and alertness, CISF personnel immediately chased him and apprehended him near the station’s exit gate before he could leave the premises.

A subsequent examination of his belongings led to the recovery of an unidentified semi-solid substance concealed inside a stitched portion of his undergarment, the CISF said.

According to reports, the passenger reportedly claimed to be a non-resident Indian (NRI) residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Following the recovery, the CISF handed over the passenger, along with his belongings and the suspected substance, to the police for further investigation.

The nature of the semi-solid substance and the reason behind its concealment remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to establish the identity of the substance and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The CISF’s swift intervention prevented the passenger from leaving the station without further examination.

The force said its personnel remain alert during the screening of passengers and their baggage to ensure compliance with security protocols and prevent any potential threat to metro commuters. Further action in the case will depend on the findings of the investigation, said the police officials.

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Crime

Bihar MLC election: Three FIRs filed against Anant Singh, Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh

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Amid campaigning for the biennial elections for eight MLC seats on October 23 in Bihar, police have registered three FIRs in connection with alleged violation of election rules during a roadshow in the Mokama Assembly constituency of Patna district.

The roadshow was held on Sunday. The cases have been registered against local MLA Anant Singh and Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh, according to police sources.

Of the three cases, two were registered at Barh police station and one at Mokama police station in Patna district.

The police are investigating the alleged violations and examining the circumstances surrounding the roadshow.

According to police sources, the action followed complaints of violations of the Model Code of Conduct and other applicable regulations during the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) election-related event.

The allegations concern compliance with rules governing political roadshows and public campaigning.

However, the specific allegations against each leader and the legal sections invoked in the FIRs have not yet been independently confirmed.

The registration of the cases has triggered political discussions in the Mokama and Barh areas, where election-related activities have intensified.

During the MLC election period, candidates and political parties are required to comply with the Model Code of Conduct and applicable rules governing public meetings, roadshows, permissions and traffic management.

Authorities can initiate legal action when alleged violations are reported.

However, the filing of an FIR does not establish guilt. The allegations against Anant Singh and Anuj Singh will be subject to investigation and the due process of law.

Police said further action would be taken on the basis of the evidence collected and the findings of the investigation.

Additional details are awaited.

Anant Singh, the JD(U) MLA from Mokama in Patna district, has openly extended his support to Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh and is campaigning against his own party’s official nominee, Neeraj Kumar, in the upcoming MLC election.

Anant Singh said his decision to support Anuj Singh stemmed from a personal dispute with Neeraj Kumar. He clarified that his move had nothing to do with his political relationship with the JD(U).

The election for eight Legislative Council seats is scheduled to be held on October 23, with counting of votes and announcement of results set for October 27.

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Crime

Odisha: Jharsuguda police arrest wanted criminal after exchange of fire

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The police on Monday apprehended a dreaded criminal following an exchange of fire in the Amdarah forest under the Orient police station area in Odisha Jharsuguda district, said a senior police official.

The Jharsuguda police also informed the media that the incident took place early Monday morning. The notorious criminal was identified as Bunty Prasad, a resident in the Hanuman Nagar area under the limits of the Orient Police Station of Jharsuguda.

Bunty has reportedly been evading law enforcement and is allegedly wanted in connection with 17 pending serious criminal cases, including attempted murder and Arms Act cases registered at Brajrajnagar and Orient police stations.

According to police, a special team from the Orient police station received reliable intelligence at around 6:00 a.m. indicating that the wanted criminal was hiding out in the dense cover of the Amdarah forest.

“Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the police personnel cordoned off the perimeter and launched a meticulous combing operation. Trapped and realising he was cornered, Bunty Prasad attempted to shoot his way out, opening sudden fire on the advancing police party,” the police official added.

Exercising restraint and acting strictly in self-defence, the police team returned controlled fire. During the exchange, a bullet struck Bunty in his left leg, causing him to fall to the ground. The police overpowered and arrested him immediately at the scene. An illegal firearm was also recovered from his possession, and his motorcycle was seized by the police.

Bunty was first rushed to the Khaliakani Community Health Centre for initial medical attention and was later shifted to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) for further treatment.

In a separate case, the Brajarajnagar police of Jharsuguda district also arrested another notorious criminal and seized two country-made pistols and some ammunition following a raid on Monday.

Odisha Police have launched a special drive to arrest habitual offenders and criminals to avoid incidents of violence during the ongoing festive season.

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