Assets of Dreamz Infra auctioned but scam victims yet to get their money back

Crime

The victims said that the Bengaluru Urban Consumer Forum had attached properties linked to the company, and argued that it had no jurisdiction to do so.

Theja Ram

It has been four years since the Karnataka government decided to attach properties of Sachin Naik, the mastermind of the Dreamz Infra ponzi scam, where he allegedly cheated thousands of investors of their hard-earned money. And yet, the victims of this scam are yet to get their money back. According to investigation officials, Sachin Naik, his wife Mandeep Kaur and former wife Disha Choudhary had promised dream homes to investors, who had paid crores of rupees of downpayment. These investors never got their dream home or the money back.  257 victims of the scam moved the Karnataka High Court in July this year after they learned that the state government had auctioned off several of his properties but had not disbursed the money equitably among all affected victims and instead, made money transfers to a single petitioner. Hearing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on October 5, the High Court issued notices to the Assistant Commissioner, Bengaluru South Sub-Division, to explain why the discrepancies in attaching and auctioning properties had risen. The government is expected to submit its response before November 5. Read: Rs 1,500 cr Dreamz Infra scam: Karnataka to auction 17 of Sachin Naik's properties What happened to the assets? While the victims waited for the courts to decide on a course of action, the assets of Dreamz Infra India Ltd was attached and transferred to the Bengaluru Urban Consumer Forum in 2018. According to the Karnataka Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments Act (KPIDFE Act), under section 19, no other court but the special court has the authority to hear matters related to cases filed under the Act. The victims, in their petition to the Karnataka High Court, said that the properties being held by the forum violated this section of the Act.  In 2018, the Bengaluru Urban Consumer Forum also attached properties belonging to Dreamz Siddhi Vinayak Project. These assets have been in the forum’s possession ever since and the victims now want the properties to be transferred to the Special Court for Economic Offences, which they say, will enable all 3,600 victims to get their money back.  In the same year, the victims of the Dreams Samhita Project obtained a stay order from the sessions court in Bengaluru against the Consumer Forum after it attached properties belonging to that project too. The LXII Additional City Civil Court in 2019, attached and auctioned properties belonging to Dreamz Saakar Project. The properties were sold to MSM Constructions and Developers at a cost of Rs 4.15 crore. Of the proceeds, Rs 28.66 lakh was given to a single plaintiff, who had moved the court. The rest of the money is in the court’s possession.  “These are all illegal money transfers. No other court but the special court has the authority to auction properties. While we were waiting for the special court to take action, all these things have been happening without our knowledge,” said Jawahar Singh, who filed the PIL with the High Court.  Not enough assets to repay all investors The Criminal Investigation Department, which is probing the case, was able to identify properties worth Rs 100 crore belonging to the various companies that were registered under the Dreamz Infra spectrum. However, the CID said that the total amount payable to 3,600 investors that were identified, amounts to Rs 385 crore. “There is not enough money to repay everyone,” the CID source said.  However, the investors, in their petition to the High Court, alleged that the CID did not perform its due diligence and track where the investors’ money went. In this regard, the High Court on October 5 also issued notices to the CID, asking it to explain why they did not track down the money.  The victims’ demands The victims of the scam have asked the High Court to protect the assets attached by the Consumer Forum, invite all victims to submit their claim with proof, appoint a forensic auditor to track down the money given by the investors and identify the assets they believe Sachin Naik siphoned off, direct the CID to seize personal assets of Sachin Naik, his wife Mandeep Kaur and former wife Disha Choudhary, all of who are directors of Dreamz Infra, and finally, to recover money given to the single investor and disburse it, so that all victims get their compensation.  “We have been running from pillar to post to get our money back. The Consumer Forum has no jurisdiction here and they have possession of the assets. We suspect that the Consumer Forum is involved in looting the money that rightfully belongs to investors,” Jawahar Singh alleged, while adding that the CID had failed to probe the case properly, due to which they couldn’t find all the assets owned by Dreamz Infra. “We are hoping the court will do the right thing and appoint an auditor to track down the money,” he said.  Read: The Rs 1500 crore scam: How Yogesh became Sumanth, then Sachin to allegedly dupe people in Bengaluru  

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Bengaluru metro reduces train frequency during non-peak hours

Transport

The new metro schedule will come into effect from October 22.

TNM Staff

File photo: PTI

The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has decided to reduce the frequency of trains during non-peak hours, even as ridership steadily increases amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company said that it has "analysed travel patterns and refined train schedules to meet physical distancing requirements." From October 22, trains will continue to operate with a frequency of every five minutes during peak hours, while during non-peak hours, the frequency will be reduced from every 10 minutes to 12 minutes. The revised schedule is as listed below. Monday to Friday and first, third and fifth Saturdays: - From 9 am to 10 am and 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm at 5-minute frequency - From 8 am to 9 am and 10 am to 11 am at 6-minute frequency - From 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm to 8 pm at 6-minute frequency - 12-minute frequency during the remaining operational hours On Sundays, general holidays and second and fourth Saturdays: - From 10 am to 12 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm at 8-minute frequency - 12-minute frequency during the remaining operational hours "Additional trains from select intermediate stations will be operated in case of any surge in the travel demand. BMRCL requests all its patron commuters to wear a mask, maintain physical distance and hand hygiene at all times during the travel," the BMCRL said in a press release. Metro services resumed in Bengaluru from September 7 in a graded manner, after COVID-19 restrictions were eased. The trains are presently being operated from 7 am to 9 pm. The press release stated that the ridership of the metro has also increased from 4,000 to more than 55,000 at present. "All possible measures are being ensured for the health and safety of passengers, like sanitisation of coaches and surfaces which are frequent-touch points, temperature checks, maintenance of physical distance at all places, and adoption of non-contact methods of fare payment and recharge of cards," the press release stated.

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Dalit man in Karnataka punished for asking Dasara procession to pass his lanes

Controversy

A man's request for change in ‘tradition’ earned him a ‘fine’ of Rs 50,000.

Pooja Prasanna

Image for representation

Ranga Raju* and his family have been living in Honnur village of Chamarajanagar for three generations. His ancestors had earned a living by running odd errands — sometimes sweeping the roads, burying the dead or bathing the cattle of caste Hindus in their village. Ranga is a Dalit labourer who works in the fields for a monthly salary of Rs 7,000. But last Saturday, he not only lost his job but also had to pawn his wife’s only pair of gold bangles to pay a ‘fine’ of Rs 50,000 levied on him. Last Thursday, a meeting was held between the village panchayat members and the Tehsildar to decide the details of the Dasara procession of the deity Chamundeshwari on Vijaya Dashami. A day after the meeting, Raju gave a letter to the Tehsildar with the request that since the temple comes under the Mujrai department of the Karnataka government, all citizens should have equal rights over it and the procession should also pass through two ‘Dalit’ lanes that are often skipped.  For many decades, the two lanes that are on the fringe of the Honnur village are only accessed by the Dalit families that live on them. The temple procession, led by the caste Hindus, have never passed through those two lanes. Ranga’s letter requesting a change of that ‘tradition’ earned him the ire of the village panchayat members who demanded that he pay a ‘fine’ of Rs 50,000 or his family would be banished from the village. His friend, who had merely accompanied him to the Tehsildar’s office when the letter was submitted, was also asked to pay Rs 10,000. Raju tried to stand up to this but his family and his neighbours advised him otherwise. For many generations, their existence in the village has been fraught. The village panchayat has time and again found the most small and often absurd excuses to either penalise them or banish them, he said. The 22 families in the area already live ostracised lives as they are only allowed in one main road of the village, where shops and a small restaurant are located.  While the services of these families are often crucial to the functioning of the village, they are not to come in direct contact with any of the caste Hindus, Ranga tells TNM. Even in shops, they are to shout their requirements and the shopkeepers place the goods on stone slabs. In restaurants too, members of these 22 families are served food on disposable plates. “These have been personal decisions of the families and we have not been able to rebel against it. But I spoke up against the disparity because the temple comes under the Mujrai department which means it belongs to the government. Don’t we have equal rights over government resources also?” asks Ranga.  His family barely manages to make ends meet with his salary. To add to his misery, he was sacked from his job till he paid the ‘fine’. Under duress, he decided to raise money by pawning his wife’s jewellery that her father had given her at their wedding.  “I have paid the fine for now so that my mother and wife are not under stress but I will not cower down this time. I have approached the Tehsildar for his mediation and he has assured me that he will call for a meeting with the panchayat members. In the past when we have raised our voices, we have been ostracised. At least now we hope things will change so that our children don't have to live in humiliation like we have,” he said.  TNM contacted the Tehsildar's office and confirmed the sequence of events as narrated by Ranga Raju. The officers said, in the past, some Dalit familes have complained to them of rampant discrimination but eventually chose to not seek official intervention as it would only complicate their lives. But this time since Raju has officially filed a complaint, Tehsildar Sudharshan will convene a meeting in the village this week to address these issues.  *Name changed on request

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Hydel power plant submerged in north Karnataka’s Kalaburagi due to floods

Floods

Due to heavy rains in Maharashtra and north Karnataka, Kalaburagi remains one of the worst affected districts as several villages have been submerged in flood water

IANS

Screengrab

With the release of 5,91,000 cusecs of water from the Sonna Barrage on Bhima river in Afzalpur taluk in Kalaburagi, a 10.5 MW power generating unit was submerged on Monday. According to sources in the energy department, three units of 3.5 MW each were constructed in the Sonna Barrage to produce 10.5 MW power. Afzalpur is 521 km from Bengaluru. Bhima and Amarja rivers -- the main tributaries of Krishna river -- run through this taluka. Due to heavy rains in Maharashtra and north Karnataka, Kalaburagi remains one of the worst affected districts as several villages have submerged in flood water. The state government has evacuated several people to safer places. In Kalaburagi, more than 150 villages have been partially submerged in water and people of 50 villages have been shifted to safer places and a total of 23,250 people have been moved to government relief centres. Energy department sources said that the project comprises three synchronous generators of capacity to produce 3,500 KW (3.5 MW) power each, coupled with "S" Kaplan type turbines. The project was functioning since 2014 and it was not built to withstand this kind of water flow. "Generally such projects are executed after studying various factors, but over a century's records also failed to guide anyone involved in this project that such a quantum of water would have to be released one day," another source from the energy department in Kalaburagi said. Speaking to IANS, Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited's Assistant Executive Engineer, Guru Pangaon, said that nobody could estimate what amount of damage was caused to this plant, as it is submerged in more than 2.5 metres of water. "Water outflow current is also very strong in the vicinity, hence it is not possible to estimate the damage at this juncture," he said.

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Riding without a helmet in Karnataka? Your licence could be suspended for 3 months

Law

The move comes after a virtual meeting between the state Transport Department and a Supreme Court-appointed road safety committee.

TNM Staff

Representational image

The Karnataka Transport Department has said that they will begin suspending driving licences of those people who are found riding their two-wheelers without a helmet. The driving licences of such riders, as well as pillion riders not wearing a helmet, could be suspended for three months. According to reports, the decision comes after a virtual meeting attended by the officials with the Supreme Court-appointed committee on road safety. Currently, motorists are fined Rs 500, after the state government decreased the fine from Rs 1,000, as mentioned in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act. The Hindu reported the Transport Commissioner has issued a direction to all joint commissioners across divisions of the state so that this new enforcement system is put in place immediately. The new rule means that the rider will be penalised even if the pillion rider is found to ride without a helmet. An official speaking with The Times of India said at present, the provision of suspension of licence is only reserved for persons who are caught driving under the influence. Their licences are suspended for six months. TOI quoted traffic police records stating that in Bengaluru, the number of persons caught riding without wearing helmets was 16.4 lakh in 2018, 20.3 lakh in 2019 and 20.7 lakh till September 2020. A report by The Hindu said that in a week, between September 13 and 19, there were 26,590 violations recorded by traffic police in Bengaluru involving helmetless riding. The following week the number had increased to 29,925. The same report quoted Bengaluru Joint Commissioner (Traffic) of Bengaluru City Police, BR Ravikanthe Gowda, welcoming the move, who said that this move will curb the number of fatalities caused by road accidents. Multiple studies have shown proper usage of helmets can save lives. A United Nations study done in 2016 had said that proper usage of helmets in India can save the lives of at least 16,000 motorists in a year.

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Sudha Murty conferred with honorary doctorate by Mysuru University

Awards

PM Modi, who was addressing the event virtually, also congratulated Sudha Murty.

IANS

File image

The University of Mysore on Monday conferred an honorary doctorate upon Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murty for her yeomen contribution to society and the nation. "Karnataka Governor and University Chancellor Vajubhai Vala conferred the doctorate to Sudha Murty from his Raj Bhavan office in Bengaluru through virtual mode," a university official said. Sudha (70) is the wife of Infosys co-founder NR Narayan Murty, and author of many books in English, Kannada and Marathi. The university also honoured 30 students with gold medals during its centenary convocation at Crawford Hall in the campus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed the university's graduating students and faculty on the occasion, congratulated Sudha and the medal-winning students remotely from New Delhi. "The century-old Mysore University has been doing 'vidya daan' to thousands of students who contributed to the nation's development. Second President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan taught at the university and guided the students," Modi recalled during his 35-minute speech in Hindi. Quoting noted Kannada litterateur Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar's famous saying 'Shikshanave Jeevanada Belaku' (education is light of life), Modi said the memorable words had a lot of relevance even now. Wishing the people of Mysuru for Dasara, Modi spoke a few lines in Kannada and wished the graduating students who bagged degrees, gold medals and cash prizes. "National Kannada poet and Jnanpith awardee Kuvempu christened the university's sprawling campus as 'Mansagangothiri," pointed out Modi. State Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Narayan, who is also the higher education minister and university Vice-Chancellor G Hemantha Kumar were present on the occasion. The Crawford Hall was sanitised ahead of the event and seating arrangements were made for only 100 dignitaries, including 30 gold medal winners in view of the COVID-19-induced restrictions on large public gatherings to contain the pandemic spread. Set up in 1916, the university was the sixth across the country and the first in Karnataka. It was the sixth university in the country and first in Karnataka. The University was founded by the erstwhile princely state ruler Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and then Diwan Sir MV Visvesvaraya.

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Bengaluru judge hearing Sandalwood drugs case gets threat letter, detonator

Crime

The letter demanded that two film actors accused in the drugs case be released on bail or else there would be a bomb blast.

PTI

Representational image

A special court judge hearing the celebrity drug racket case received a threat letter and a parcel with a detonator on Monday, demanding bail for two film actors and those booked in the August 11 violence in Bengaluru. "We have taken up investigation," a senior police officer told PTI, requesting anonymity. According to top police sources, a parcel from the district headquarters town of Tumakuru and the letter addressed to the Special Judge hearing the drug case, in which some bigwigs of Karnataka, including film actors Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa Galrani are among the accused, was found outside the court. When the staff opened it, they found a suspicious object and informed police, whose bomb disposal squad confirmed it was a detonator, the sources said. The person who wrote the letter demanded that bail be granted to the actors and that the 'innocent' people arrested in the August 11 violence at KG Halli and DJ Halli areas in east Bengaluru be immediately released and warned that a blast would be triggered if the demands were not met. More than 15 people, including the actors, a few Nigerians, realtors and rave party organisers have been arrested so far in the drug case. Three people were killed after police opened fire on August 11 night to quell a mob that went on a rampage in a city locality, irked over a social media post allegedly put out by a Congress legislator's relative. Scores, including around 50 policemen, were injured in the violence, apparently triggered by the online post. Pulakeshi Nagar MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy's home and a police station were among those targeted by the angry mob. The house of the MLA, who was not at home at the time, was set on fire. The rioters also torched many police and private vehicles, badly damaged the house and looted the belongings of MLA Murthy and those of his sister. So far, 421 people have been arrested, including leaders of the Congress and the SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India).

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