Bengaluru techie arrested for allegedly helping peddlers procure drugs via dark web

Crime

The 25-year-old techie who goes by the alias Shreeki, is also accused of hacking into government sites.

IANS

A 25-year-old computer programmer based in Bengaluru was arrested on Wednesday by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) for allegedly hacking various government sites besides helping drug peddlers in the city to procure drugs through the dark net. According to the police, the accused was identified as Srikrishna alias Shreeki, a resident of Jayanagar in the city. The CCB was led to the techie as they were interrogating eight persons including Darshan Lamani, the son of former Congress minister Rudrappa Lamani, who was arrested recently. Darshan Lamani was arrested for sheltering and hosting two of his friends who turned out to be drug peddlers in Goa. Speaking to media persons, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said that the accused is a very good computer programmer, who should have used those skills in a positive manner but unfortunately, he has turned out to be playing into the hands of drug peddlers. "He hacked many websites, online gaming portals, and made illegal gains. He has also tried to hack into government websites. In some cases, he has succeeded too. He successfully hacked into the Karnataka e-procurement website some time ago," the commissioner revealed. According to the police, Srikrishna has an impressive biodata which claims that he did his three-year computer graduate programme in the Netherlands. "He lived in Amsterdam for his studies between 2014 to 2017. He studied in a reputed university over there," the police note revealed. Police added that after his return, he turned out to be a rogue hacker as he had been addicted to hydro ganja consumption, which is easily available in Amsterdam across the counter in shops. "Netherlands is one of the few countries, where consumption of marijuana is legal," an investigation officer told IANS. During routine investigation of eight persons arrested in a drug case last week, the police often came across Shrikee's name for helping them to source hydro ganja through the dark web. Besides helping them, Shreeki also hacked several gaming portals especially online gambling portals and used to collect those winning cards of players from portals and use the same cards to procure bitcoins, which in turn were used to procure ganja through the dark web, the police said, explaining his complex way of making illegal gains through hacking. Apart from this, he has even hacked into company websites to make money by threatening them to destroy crucial data from servers, the police said. The eight-member gang used to procure drugs through the dark web and enjoy their life in luxurious resorts and flats in and around the city, by organising high-profile rave parties. The CCB caught one of the accused in the case, Sujay, outside the Bengaluru Foreign Post Office with 500 gm of hydroponically-grown marijuana on November 9. One gram of the substance is estimated to cost between Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 in the market. The CCB learned that Sujay and his associates, Hemanth, Prasid Shetty and Suneesh Hegde - a real estate businessman and resident of Sadashivanagar, had allegedly ordered the marijuana on the dark net by paying bitcoins.

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Karnataka govt says Maratha Development Board is a 'community corporation'

Politics

A section of pro-Kannada activists have called for a state-wide strike over the formation of the board.

IANS

In an effort to put an end to the raging controversy over the formation of the Maratha Development Board last week, the ruling BJP in Karnataka on Wednesday decided to rename it as Maratha Community Development Corporation (MCDC). Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy clarified that the MCDC is a community corporation for the all-round development of the community, and not to promote any language per se. "The Cabinet has officially adopted this (MCDC) name," he said, adding that he didn't know why some people are opposed to the setting up of a body for the development of a community. Last week, Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa had decided to set up the Maratha Development Board, just ahead of the announcement of bye-polls to the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency and the Basavakalyan and Maski Assembly seats, which have a sizeable Marathi-speaking population. Since then, the ruling BJP has come under severe criticism by the opposition Congress as well as pro-Kananda activists across the state. A section of Kannada activists even called for a statewide bandh on December 5. Chief Minister Yediyurappa too, said his government will not allow the "forced bandh" called by some pro-Kannada outfits on December 5 against its decision to set up the Maratha board. "We have set up the board for the welfare of Maratha communities living in the state. Marathas are also Hindu followers," the chief minister told reporters in the national capital. Yediyurappa had visited Delhi to discuss the impending cabinet expansion with the central leadership of the party. A senior BJP leader told IANS that Yediyurappa's problems worsened when Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday stated in Maharashtra that the inclusion of Belagavi, Nippani and Karwar would only complete the unification of Maharashtra, which was the dream of the late Balasaheb Thackeray. The statement triggered a barrage of angry reactions and protests in Karnataka. Tempers run high across the state whenever Maharashtra lays claim to the border district of Belagavi on linguistic grounds. Karnataka even built the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, modelled on the Vidhana Soudha — the state legislature building in Bengaluru, in Belagavi, to assert its claim that the district is an integral part of the state.

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Bengaluru riots: NIA searches in 43 locations, including SDPI offices

DJ Halli Violence

NIA says it has found incriminating evidence against SDPI after searches in 43 locations.

IANS

Representational image/PTI

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted search operations in over 43 locations including four offices of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of the Popular Front of India, for their alleged involvement in Bengaluru riots. The NIA officials said they have seized incriminating material relating to the SDPI and PFI, besides weapons like swords, knife and iron rods, during the raids. According to a statement issued by the NIA, the raids were conducted on a total of 43 locations in Bengaluru in relation to the riots that had shaken Bengaluru on August 11. It said that 293 persons have been arrested in connections with the riots so far. In this, 124 arrests were made in relation to the riots in DJ Halli Police Station case and the remaining 169 arrests were in relation to the riots in KG Halli Police Station case. The NIA, in its statement, said that the riot led to fear and panic in the nearby areas and the cases pertain to large scale rioting armed with lethal weapons causing injuries to police personnel, destruction of public and private property including DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations buildings besides public and private vehicles. The NIA is probing two cases related to Bengaluru riots, including one to probe SDPI's involvement. On August 11, a communally charged Facebook post by Naveen Kumar, nephew of Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy led to violent protests by an enraged mob. After taking over the investigation of the riots, the NIA had named SDPI leader Muzamil Pasha for "instigating the mob" to unleash violence on the streets. Meanwhile, the Bengaluru police that is probing this case in parallel to the NIA has arrested Congress leader and former Bengaluru Mayor R Sampath Raj, who was absconding for several weeks after escaping from a hospital. The police had also arrested one of Raj's associates named Riyazuddin on November 16 for helping him escape, while a search was on for another Congress corporator on this count. The Bengaluru police had registered more than 60 FIRs in this case alone and subsequently followed it up with an 850-page preliminary chargesheet in October.

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'Can't take away my conviction’: IPS officer Roopa on Twitter war with True Indology

Controversy

The tussle between the two began with Roopa questioning the need to burst firecrackers during Deepavali celebrations and saw True Indology's Twitter account suspended.

TNM Staff

Karnataka IPS officer D Roopa issued a response to the controversy over the war of words with a Twitter user who goes by the name ‘True Indology’ over whether firecrackers are Indian or not. Taking to Twitter, Roopa said, "For all those fathoming my silence, well,there's life beyond twitter, the real world, with real job, real responsibilities. U may troll me, abuse me, accuse me, for u have ample time to do just that, but can't take away my conviction & commitment to duty & Law of the land [sic]." For all those fathoming my silence,well,there's life beyond twitter, the real world,with real job,real responsibilities. U may troll me, abuse me, accuse me,for u have ample time to do just that,but can't take away my conviction& commitment to duty& Law of the land. Jai Hind — D Roopa IPS (@D_Roopa_IPS) November 18, 2020 For disseminating info abt an Order of Govt, a decision taken at highest level (not my personal opinion/order) u try to silence an official. For what? Do u expect me to say don't follow govt order? Sorry folks,that's not going to happen. — D Roopa IPS (@D_Roopa_IPS) November 18, 2020 The tussle between the two began with Roopa questioning the need to burst firecrackers during Deepavali celebrations and also saw the suspension of True Indology’s account, which has irked right-wing supporters on Twitter. It is not clear why the account, a staunch Hindutva proponent, was suspended and who made a complaint against it. D Roopa, the Home Secretary to the Government of Karnataka, wrote a Facebook post on November 14 asking why people have a problem with a ban on firecrackers and that she is “left aghast” to see “some intellectual, highly educated and respectable citizens jeering the crowd” on violating the rules on ban of firecrackers. She later shared the post on Twitter where users questioned her about customs of other religions. A long argument followed and at the end of it, True Indology's profile was suspended. Several people came out in support of True Indology including actor Kangana Ranaut. #BringBackTrueIndology began to trend on Twitter on Wednesday morning. However, Roopa did not offer a response until later in the evening when she said that there is life beyond Twitter and that people have 'real responsibilities'. IPS officer D Roopa was earlier posted as Deputy Inspector General Prisons. She also served as Superintendent of police (SP) in Dharwad, Gadag, Bidar and in Yadgir district, before she moved to Bengaluru.  

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Maharashtra Deputy CM's words spark fresh Karnataka border row, BSY responds

Politics

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that Bal Thackeray's dream of incorporating Belgaum, Karwar and Nipani -- areas of Karnataka should be fulfilled.

TNM Staff

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday kicked up a row with neighboring Karnataka with a fresh war of words about areas on the Maharashtra borders like Belagavi, Nippani and Karwar. The deputy chief minister said Maharashtra's all-round growth and incorporating Belgaum, Karwar and Nipani -- areas of Karnataka which have substantial Marathi-speaking population -- were dreams of Bal Thackeray. "Let's resolve to fulfil Balasaheb's dream," he said in his message as reported by PTI. "I condemn the comments made by Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The world knows that the findings in the Mahajan Commission report is final. What I have done recently is for development of Marathis. For Ajit Pawar to fan flames at a time like this is condemnable and it should not be done in the future," Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said in response.  The Mahajan Commission report is an extensive report on the Belagavi border dispute with Maharashtra. The Commission was constituted in 1966 and it stated that Belagavi (then referred to as Belgaium) will continue to be a part of Karnataka among other recommendations. Maharashtra later called for the 1951 census report to be followed since it suggested a higher percentage of Marathi speakers in and around Belagavi.  Meanwhile, Yediyurappa is facing criticism in the state for forming a Maratha development authority. Former Chief Minister and opposition leader Siddaramaiah too criticised Yediyurappa over the issue. "I strongly condemn any decision which is only intended to reap political benefits. There is dispute between Kannadigas and Marathis for long time now and with the announcement of Marathi development authority, @CMofKarnataka is instigating Kannadigas and disrupting peace," a tweet by Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said. I strongly condemn any decision which is only intended to reap political benefits. There is dispute between Kannadigas and Marathis for long time now and with the announcement of Marathi development authority, @CMofKarnataka is instigating Kannadigas and disrupting peace. 4/7 — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 18, 2020 Several pro-Kannada groups have already announced a bandh across the state on December 5 following the Karnataka government's decision to establish the Maratha Development Board.   Protests were also held in Bengaluru on Wednesday morning by pro-Kannada groups protesting the issue.   

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Karnataka CM Yediyurappa leaves for Delhi to discuss Cabinet expansion

Politics

BS Yediyurappa is also scheduled to have meetings with various union ministers.

TNM Staff

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday said he was going to New Delhi to discuss with the BJP central leadership expansion or reshuffle of his cabinet. "I'm going to Delhi today. I will discuss with Naddaji (BJP national president J P Nadda) and other senior leaders about cabinet expansion and come back," Yediyurappa told reporters here ahead of leaving for the national capital. Responding to a question whether it would be an expansion or reshuffle of the cabinet, he said, "It will be known, once I go to Delhi." According to the Chief Minister's tentative tour programme, Yediyurappa is also scheduled to have meetings with various Union Ministers before leaving for Bengaluru at 8:30 pm by a special flight. Political activity has intensified within the ruling BJP camp in the state ever since Yediyurappa indicated on November 10 soon after the party's victory in bypolls to two assembly constituencies that cabinet reshuffle is on cards. The Chief Minister had said he would soon be proceeding to New Delhi to discuss with the party's central leadership and get their approval, as he hinted about reshuffle by dropping or inducting some Ministers. The cabinet expansion or reshuffle is expected to be a tightrope walk for Yediyurappa, considering that there are too many aspirants. While several of the old guards like eight-time MLA Umesh Katti are waiting for a chance to be inducted into the Ministry, Congress-JD(S) rebels like AH Vishwanath, R Shankar and MTB Nagaraj, who helped the BJP come to power and are now party MLCs, are also aspiring for slots. As per the agreement, Yediyurappa would also have to keep space for Munirathna following his win from Rajarajeshwari Nagar seat in the bypoll, also for Pratap Gowda Patil who needs to win the Maski bypoll that is yet to be announced. The cabinet currently has 27 members, and seven berths are still vacant. Several legislators have openly declared their aspirations, also political hobnobbing is taking place within the BJP circles.

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Karnataka govt intervenes in Toyota Bidadi plant impasse, bans strike by workers

Controversy

However, workers’ union of the factory said that they will continue strike until humane working conditions are ensured.

TNM Staff

File image

The Karnataka government on Tuesday banned the ongoing strike by workers of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) at its Bidadi plant and directed the management to lift the lockout for resuming production soon. "I have directed the Toyota workers' union to withdraw its strike and told the company management to lift the week-long lockout declared on November 10 to resume production soon," Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan told reporters. As the union and its management were in a deadlock over the strike and the lockout following the suspension of 40 workers, Narayan held talks with them at the state secretariat in the city in the presence of state Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar and the state labour commissioner. "A notification will be issued on Wednesday under section 10 (3) of the Industrial Disputes Act to ban the strike by the workers and to lift the lockout that was imposed to prevent any damage to the factory," asserted Narayan. The lockout was declared after 1,200 workers resorted to a sit-in strike in the plant at Bidadi in protest against the suspension of their union member. As the strike continued, the company declared lockout and suspended 39 more workers on November 13 for refusing to withdraw their 'illegal' agitation. As the 23-year-old joint venture between the Japanese auto behemoth Toyota and Kirloskar Brothers of Pune is located in Ramanagara district, Narayan mediated to resolve the standoff as he is in-charge of the adjust district. "At a conciliatory meeting between the union and the management at the labour commissioner office in the city in the evening, the company offered to lift the lockout subject to an assurance by the union that its member-workers will maintain normalcy and cordial relations in the factory to resume operations," said an official of the labour department. The union, however, is yet to accept the offer. Speaking to TNM, Basavaraj Havaldar, the Joint Secretary of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Employees Union, said, "The conciliation has failed as the management has not responded. Today if the chief secretary bans our strike, the strike will only continue against the government too. We are only going to end our strike when there is a proper meeting held between the union and the management and when we are ensured better working conditions." Both the ministers told the TKM management to lift the lockout and resume production from Wednesday to make-up for the week-long work loss. The company has two plants in the Bidadi industrial area with 3.1-lakh units installed capacity to roll out its popular multi-utility vehicle Innova, sports utility vehicle Fortuner, Yaris and Camry hybrid sedans. The company has 6,500 employees on its factory rolls. The company also imports Vellfire from its overseas plants for sale in India. (With IANS inputs)

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