Udupi youth who stole Rs 30 lakh from Bengaluru ATMs held when he came to meet girlfriend

News Network
November 13, 2020

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Bengaluru, Nov 13: A staff of cash management firm, who was on the run after stealing Rs 30 lakh from ATM kiosks he had refilled, was arrested when he came to meet his girlfriend in Bengaluru.

Accused Vinay Jogi, 30, a native of coastal district of Udupi and resident of Laggere, worked as a cash custodian with Secure Value, a cash management firm, for five years. He allegedly took money from ATMs by misusing official keys and passwords and went absconding in the last week of August after his misdeeds came to his employer’s notice.

Byadarahalli police registered a case of cheating against Jogi on August 27 on the basis of a complaint by Raju A, manager of Secure Value. Police said an audit by the firm found Rs 30 lakh had been misappropriated. Jogi absconded soon after he learnt about the audit on August 24.

Police learnt Jogi had sent a video to his colleagues that he was being harassed by his employers. He had also apologised to his parents and sister in the nearly one-and-a-half-minute video. Jogi claimed he was suffering from brain tumour and would die in a few days. He also said he would commit suicide by jumping into Netravathi river.

Meanwhile, police traced him to a place near Ballari. A team was dispatched to nab him but Jogi kept changing locations and sim cards to evade cops.

Finally, police got a tipoff that he was going to meet his girlfriend at her residence in Bengaluru and the team headed by inspector A Rajiv swooped down on him when he was approaching the house. Police said Jogi didn’t take away huge amounts of cash from the ATMs. Investigation revealed he started pocketing money from the kiosks a day after he had refilled them.

“He used to refill kiosks belonging to several banks on behalf of Secure Value. He used to visit the ATMs the next morning and open the chest using the keys and passwords. He took Rs 1 lakh or Rs 2 lakh at a time and left the spot. Jogi used to change the direction of CCTV cameras on entering the kiosk. He also used to flash light at the camera to blur his image,” a police officer said.

Police said an unmarried Jogi had built a house in Udupi after availing loans. Police have recovered Rs 11 lakh which he had transferred to a bank and Rs 14.5 lakh he sent to his parents by courier.

Police said a case was registered against Jogi for pocketing Rs 30 lakh from four ATM kiosks in multiple instalments. Now, he’s confessed to have stolen more than Rs 50 lakh from 15 ATMs in the city over several months.

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News Network
November 19,2024

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The Karnataka Police’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) achieved a major breakthrough on Monday night by eliminating Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders for over two decades. The encounter occurred in the dense Kabbinale forest of Udupi district, marking a significant victory against Naxal insurgency in the region.

Who Was Vikram Gowda?

Hailing from Hebri in Udupi, Vikram Gowda, 44, was a prominent figure in the Naxal movement. He went underground in 2002, initially serving as a courier and fund collector before rising to lead a breakaway Naxal group. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key player in the movement’s survival in Karnataka.

Bounty: ₹3 lakh from Karnataka and ₹50,000 from Kerala.

Legacy: The last major Naxal leader in Karnataka after the 2021 arrest of B G Krishnamurthy.

The Encounter

Police revealed that Gowda and his team visited Kabbinale village to collect groceries on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ANF ambushed the group. When the Naxals opened fire, ANF responded, leading to Gowda's death.

Escapees: Three Naxals fled, including prominent members Latha (aka Mundgaru Latha) and Raju.

Significance: This was the first Naxal casualty in Karnataka in over two decades.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the operation, stating, “Gowda was elusive for 20 years, escaping multiple encounters. His death is a critical step in dismantling Naxal operations in the region.”

The Decline of Naxal Activity in Karnataka

Karnataka's Naxal movement has been dwindling, with members seeking refuge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group’s strength had reduced to just 19 members by 2018, but recent sightings indicate attempts at revival:

2023 Activity: Reports of Gowda-led movements in the Kodagu and Hassan districts reignited concerns.

Political Heat: The BJP criticised the Congress government, alleging it created a “safe haven” for Naxals.

A Glimpse into Gowda’s Past

Personal Life: Gowda’s ex-wife, Savitri (alias Rajita), was arrested in 2021. She was a senior Naxal commander involved in insurgency since 2004.
Rehabilitation Efforts: Since 2013, Karnataka’s rehabilitation policy has seen 14 Naxals surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.

A Milestone in Karnataka’s Fight Against Insurgency

The operation signifies a decisive blow to Naxal resurgence in the Western Ghats. While the ANF continues its search for escapees, the Karnataka government reaffirmed its commitment to offering rehabilitation to those willing to surrender.

As Karnataka celebrates this triumph, the message is clear: there is no room for insurgency in the state.

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News Network
November 15,2024

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Union minister Amit Shah on Friday, November 15, said PM Narendra Modi will amend the Waqf Act despite opposition from leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar.

"Modi ji wants to change the Waqf Board law, but Uddhav ji, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule are opposing it," Shah said, addressing a rally at Umarkhed in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district.

"Uddhav ji, listen carefully, you all can protest as much as you want, but Modi ji will amend the Waqf Act," he said. Shah said there are two camps in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, one of 'Pandavas' represented by the BJP-led Mahayuti and the other of 'Kauravas' represented by Maha Vikas Aghadi.

"Uddhav Thackeray claims that his Shiv Sena is the real one. Can the real Shiv Sena go against renaming Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar? Can the real Shiv Sena go against renaming Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar? The real Shiv Sena stands with the BJP," Shah said.

"Rahul Baba used to say that his government would credit money in the accounts of the people instantly. You were unable to fulfil your promises in Himachal, Karnataka, and Telangana," he said.

Shah said the Mahayuti alliance has promised that women will get Rs 2,100 per month under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. "Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power in the world can snatch it away from us," Shah said.

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News Network
November 18,2024

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Mangaluru: The Ullal police have arrested Manohar, the owner of Vazco Beach Resort, and its manager Bharath in connection with the drowning of three college girls from Mysuru at the resort’s swimming pool on November 17.

City Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal confirmed the arrests, stating that a case has been registered under Section 106 of BNS. The bodies of the victims, all in their twenties, have been handed over to their parents. The women had arrived at the resort for a weekend getaway on November 16.

Following the tragic incident, the resort was sealed by officials led by Mangaluru Assistant Commissioner Harshavardhan. The trade license of the resort, issued on June 13, 2024, has been suspended, and the tourism department has temporarily revoked the resort's registration. These actions prohibit the resort from engaging in any tourism-related activities until further notice.

Someshwara TMC Chief Officer stated that the suspension was due to the resort's failure to implement adequate safety measures, which resulted in the loss of three lives. Further investigations are underway.

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