Suspected to be involved in murder cases with Ravi Pujari, who is Yusuf Bachkana?

Crime

Suspecting his role in several extortion rackets and murder cases, the Central Crime Branch sleuths in Bengaluru took Yusuf into custody on Sunday.

TNM Staff

The Central Crime Branch team led by Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Patil on Sunday obtained custody of hitman and close associate of gangster Ravi Pujari – Yusuf Suleiman Kadri alias Yusuf Bachkana. Yusuf has been serving a life sentence at the Hindalga Central Jail in Belagavi district since 2004 after he was convicted in the murder of Karnataka-based builder Subba Rao. Yusuf was brought to Bengaluru to gather evidence against him and Ravi Pujari in running extortion and murder cases. Ravi Pujari, former associate of underworld don Chhota Rajan, was extradited from Senegal in West Africa and brought to Bengaluru on February 24 this year by the Karnataka police. Ever since his arrest, the Central Crime Branch has been questioning him in several cases related to extortion and the murder of two people in the Shabnam Developers case. On February 15, 2007, two unidentified men barged into the Shabnam Developers office in Bengaluru’s Tilaknagar and shot dead receptionist Shylaja and another employee, Lohitashwa alias Ravi. The police filed a case against Pujari, stating that he had hired the hitmen to create fear among the owners of Shabnam Developers. The police also said that Pujari had been extorting money from the owners of the company since 2006. Read: Who is Ravi Pujari? The dreaded underworld don brought back to India Central Crime Branch sleuths suspect that Yusuf was Ravi Pujari’s primary recruiter at the time and may have been involved in planning and executing several murders and extortion rackets along with Ravi Pujari. Police say that within months of being lodged in jail in 2004, Yusuf had formed a network of at least 30 hitmen to carry out his orders. He also allegedly had access to various mobile phones while in the jail. “He used to make calls and arrange hits or extortion bids in Ravi Pujari’s name. He was the chief recruiter but has not been convicted in numerous trials including the Mahesh Bhatt case due to lack of evidence,” crime branch officials told TNM. Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt had accused Ravi Pujari’s gang members of plotting to kill him and his family members. Who is Yusuf Bachkana? A member of the Mumbai underworld in the 1990s, Yusuf Bachkana was once the right-hand man to dreaded gangster Chhota Rajan. As Chhota Rajan’s primary hitman, Yusuf is believed to have eliminated several members of Dawood Ibrahim’s gang in Mumbai. His skills as a sharpshooter had made him a feared personality. Yusuf’s list of victims from Dawood Ibrahim’s gang includes Kaliya (murdered in 1998), Devi Prasad Hegde (in 1999), Ibrahim’s financiers Sohail Rizvi (in 1999) and Mutalik Patel (at Bandra railway station in 1999). In the 1990s, Ravi Pujari too was working with Chhota Rajan. However, Pujari and Rajan split in 2000. At the time, Yusuf was still establishing loyalties with new dons. He had sided with Muttappa Rai in Bengaluru, but after a fallout he allegedly hatched a plan with Rai’s rival Bannanje Raja to kill Rai. However, the plan failed. Later, Yusuf ended up siding with Pujari. He ran his first extortion racket in Karnataka after being involved in the murder of Subba Rao, owner of Mayura Builders and Developers, in 2001. Even after he was arrested in 2004 and sent to the Hindalga Central Jail in Belagavi district, Yusuf is said to have run innumerable extortion rackets for Pujari. Police officials say that Yusuf scouted hitmen and killers for Pujari from inside the prison as well as when he came to courtrooms for various trials. In 2013, Yusuf is believed to have recruited men to extort money from noted filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, and in 2015 as well. In 2013, Yusuf made an extortion call from Belagavi to Mumbai-based builder Rajaram Manjaokar. When Manjaokar refused to give in to his demands, Yusuf allegedly sent three men recruited from Karnataka to go to Mumbai and kill Manjaokar. Three shots were fired at Manjaokar’s car but the builder survived. The same year, Yusuf allegedly made a deal with another gangster, Bettanagere Shankar, to kill the latter’s cousin, Bettanagere Seena, who was also lodged in Hindalga Central Jail. Seena and Shankar were arch-rivals and Shankar allegedly paid Yusuf Rs 10 lakh to kill Seena. The weapon, allegedly arranged by Yusuf via phone, was thrown inside the prison campus in a sweet box. However, one of Seena’s aides, another inmate in the prison, raised an alarm a few minutes before Yusuf’s men in jail could attack Seena, effectively stopping the attack. Seena was subsequently transferred to the prison in Kalaburagi. “We believe Yusuf and Pujari were involved in several extortion rackets and murder cases. After interrogating Pujari, we needed to question Yusuf in order to procure evidence. That is why he was brought to Bengaluru,” the Crime Branch officer added.

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Bengaluru police say IAS officer Vijay Shankar died by suicide

Death

The police suspect that Vijay Shankar took his own life as he believed that the state government would grant CBI permission to prosecute him in the IMA scam.

TNM Staff

Former Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban district BM Vijay Shankar, who ended his life at his residence in Bengaluru, had reportedly seemed depressed after his involvement in the I, Monetary Advisory (IMA) scam hit the news in June 2019. He was in judicial custody for two months before procuring conditional bail. Vijay Shankar was accused of accepting bribes amounting to Rs 2.5 crore to submit a report in favour of IMA founder Mohammed Mansoor Khan in order to allegedly turn a blind eye to IMA and its activities. The CBI had registered an FIR against the IAS officer in June last year.   Police sources say that Vijay Shankar, who was promoted from Karnataka Administrative Service to IAS, had been severely depressed due to the CBI's investigation into the alleged bribe he had taken from IMA founder Mohameed Mansoor Khan. He has served in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and was the district collector for Bengaluru City, when the IMA scam broke out.  "He seems to have been having trouble maintaining a good relationship with his family and friends after news that he took a Rs 2.5 crore bribe in connection with the IMA scam. He was undergoing therapy as he was depressed and his family say that he had kept to himself, and often seemed sad in the last two months," a senior police officer said.  Soon after his involvement in the IMA scam worth Rs 2,000 crore, became known, he was arrested and sent to judicial custody. After he got out on bail in September 2019, he was reportedly depressed as he had been suspended from his duties. Police sources said that Vijay Shankar had gone for a work meeting on Tuesday morning as he was recently reinstated as the Additional Mission Director, Sakala. After his meeting, he went home and allegedly remained in his room. "His family members said it was not uncommon for him to keep to himself since his involvement in the scam was known," the police officer added.  At around 8 pm on Tuesday, Vijay Shankar's wife, who had just returned home, reportedly knocked she opened the door to their bedroom when she found that he had taken his life, said sources.  "The time of death could be between 7 and 7.15 pm. He is survived by his wife and two children. In January this year, CBI had asked the state government to grant permission to prosecute Vijay Shankar. The government had given permission to prosecute two IPS officers so far and these permissions had not come through. We have reason to believe that the state government was in the process of handling the paper work for the permission and that it could have been the trigger," the senior police official added.  In August 2019, the CBI filed a preliminary chargesheet in the IMA scam. However, it had not mentioned Vijay Shankar's name in it as the agency had not procured permission from the government to prosecute him yet.  Police officials said that he had not left a death note behind and that they are still trying to figure out the motive for his suicide. Police also said that Vijay Shankar had skipped two summons for interrogation issued by the CBI this month. If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families. Tamil Nadu State health department's suicide helpline: 104 Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu) Andhra Pradesh Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930 Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584 Karnataka Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222 Kerala Maithri: 0484 2540530 Chaithram: 0484 2361161 Both are 24-hour helpline numbers. Telangana State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104 Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200 SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm) Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.     24x7 Helpline: 9820466726  Click here for working helplines across India.  

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KGA shuts golf course after member tests positive for coronavirus

Coronavirus

There were around 50 golfers on the golf course on Tuesday when a siren went off around 11 am halting play at the KGA golf course.

TNM Staff

Photograph via Facebook : DJ Jasmeet

The Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) suspended activities and shut down its club premises in Bengaluru after a member tested positive for the novel coronavirus.  A KGA official confirmed that the member who tested positive had played a round of golf at their premises on June 13  and tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. There were around 50 golfers on the golf course on Tuesday when a siren went off around 11 am halting play at the KGA premises, Times of India reported.  After the patient's family informed the KGA of the member's condition, the club communicated to its members that the facility will be shut down as a precautionary measure.  "In view of a member having tested positive, as a precautionary measure, we are closing the club and golfing facilities with immediate effect for sanitization and disinfection," the message sent by KGA to its members stated. The club is helping trace the contacts of anyone who may have come in contact with the infected golfer including other members, caddies and staff members at the club. The premises will also be sanitised and a decision on the resumption of activities will be taken later, Sportstar reported. A month ago, KGA and other golf clubs including Prestige Golfshire and Eagleton were among the first sports facilities to be reopened after the lockdown restrictions had forced them to shut down in March. The clubs had put several precautionary measures in place. Golf bags were sanitised on arrival, caddies were briefed about safety protocols, and disposable gloves were given for use. Physical distancing and hygiene protocols were followed in the clubs especially in the food and beverages area. Eagleton and Prestige Golfshire will continue with golf activities by tightening the precautionary measures. Bengaluru has reported 1505 COVID-19 cases so far including 996 active cases. Karnataka has reported as many as 9721 COVID-19 cases of which 3563 cases are active. 

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Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in Karnataka to be discharged without confirmatory test

Coronavirus

The state has revised the earlier policy where confirmatory tests to check whether patients had fully recovered from the infection were mandatory.

TNM Staff

Health officials in Karnataka revised the discharge policy for COVID-19 patients on Tuesday. Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and those with mild to moderate symptoms will be discharged at the end of their treatment without tests to confirm if they are no longer infected with the virus. Until now, confirmatory tests to check whether patients had fully recovered from the infection were mandatory.  Karnataka's Health Secretary Jawaid Akhtar stated that COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms will undergo a mandatory test three days after complete clinical recovery. The same condition is applicable to patients with comorbidities.  The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) had advised state governments in May to discharge patients after 10 days of getting the symptoms and if the patient does not report a fever for three days. However, officials in Karnataka wanted to be doubly sure and continued testing for the virus before discharging patients. This will now be discontinued.  The new guidelines however increased the time spent in hospitals by asymptomatic patients. While such patients were tested on the seventh day and sent home if found to be negative, it is now mandatory to stay in hospitals for ten days after the collection of their swabs.  Asymptomatic patients who do not have fever and maintain high blood oxygen saturation level and respiratory rate of less than 24 per minute will be discharged 10 days after the date of collecting their swabs. They will however be advised to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days.  COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms will be sent home if they exhibit the normal parameters for three days after the 10-day period has ended.  The Karnataka government had earlier approved the use of ashrams and stadiums in Bengaluru to treat COVID-19 patients. It also approved as many as 16 government facilities and several other private facilities in the city to treat COVID-19 patients. The state COVID-19 war room has projected that the number of cases in the state will increase over the next month. 

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Karnataka HC directs state to take action against politicians over lockdown violations

Coronavirus

The High Court bench stated that it would send a wrong message to the public in the state if no action is taken against political figures and elected representatives for the violations.

TNM Staff

Karnataka Health Minister Sriramulu taking part in a procession

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to take strict action against the large number of violations of lockdown regulations by political figures in the state.  A division bench in the High Court comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Nataraj Rangaswamy issued the directions while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Letzkit Foundation based in Bengaluru. The petitioner pointed out that there were many violations of lockdown regulations and specifically raised the issue of elected leaders not wearing masks in public meetings. The High Court bench stated that it would send a wrong message to the public in the state if no action is taken against political figures and elected representatives for the violations, The Hindu reported.  TNM had earlier reported how several politicians including Karnataka's Health Minister were found in large public gatherings without wearing masks or maintaining distancing.  The High Court bench also called for strict enforcement of norms like wearing masks, maintaining distancing, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for various places, including places of worship, parks, parlous and offices. The Bench also asked the state government to set up a Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) within the next week. The bench said that it should enable the public to lodge complaints on lockdown violations including through SMS, WhatsApp messages and e-mail, LiveLaw reported. The High Court also directed the state government to appoint more government officials to levy fines and initiate action against those not wearing masks. The officials were asked to act on complaints and ensure action is taken under Sections 51 to 54 of the Disaster Management Act and under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code against violators. Data released by the state government showed that up till June 20, more than 1.31 lakh home quarantine violations were reported in the state. 44.86% of violations were reported in Bengaluru, the state capital, where cases are increasing every day.  A total of 11,307 violations were reported in Mysuru and 10,385 violations were reported in Kalaburagi district.   

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House Democrats tack to center with election year health care bill

The House Democratic plan is less ambitious than the platform put forward by Joe Biden.

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Fauci says White House told NIH to cancel funding for bat virus study

“Why was it canceled? It was canceled because the NIH was told to cancel it," Fauci said.

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