Sandalwood drug mafia: NCB finds link to top Kannada celebrities

coastaldigest.com news network
August 30, 2020

Bengaluru, Aug 30: After Sandalwood director Indrajith Lankesh alleged that drug addiction was rampant in the Karnataka film industry, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has submitted names of the celebrities found in the notebook of the accused for further action.

It is also said that, NCB is all set to issue notices to the actors, actresses and celebrities of Sandalwood including music directors.

According to sources, the notices have been prepared based on the information and inputs given by the arrested accused, Anika and Ravindra.

Ankit, a special officer had been deputed to look into the case by the NCB and he had arrived into the city. It has now come to light that Sandalwood stars, particularly actresses, models music directors used to conduct rave parties after film releases and theaccused Anika used to supply drugs to them for parties.

The accused also explained to the police that, the stars came in search of drugs to her during lockdown time too. Reality show participants and the models were also part of this chain according to the accused.

Investigators have started the probe based on all these inputs. Sandalwood director Indrajith had openly stated that many of the Sandalwood actors and actresses, music directors and directors have been drug addicts. But, his statement was condemned by the biggies in the Sandalwood.

Police Commissioner Kamal Panth called on those with specific information to share the samewith investigating agencies.

Anika, who herself was a reality show participant, had penetrated into the celebrity circles easily and shares a good rapport with many celebrities.

Reacting to the reports, Kannada actress Rachita Ram said she doesn't even know that drug mafia existed in the City. Another actress Sharmila Mandre who was accused of using drugs clarified that the allegations levelled against her are baseless.

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News Network
January 13,2025

Udupi: A resident of Karkala in Udupi district has accused five individuals of defrauding him of nearly Rs 2 crore under the guise of business partnerships.

Dawood Hakim, a resident of Ennehole in Marne village, Karkala, has filed a complaint stating that he operated a mobile sales and service business on Karkala Market Road for 15 years. He had known the accused for over two decades and trusted them implicitly.

According to Dawood, the accused convinced him to invest in multiple business ventures, including land dealings and a travel business, promising substantial returns and partnership benefits. Believing their assurances, Dawood reportedly handed over cash, gold, and a vehicle.

However, the promised profits never materialized, and the accused allegedly failed to return the money or assets. Dawood claims this deception has caused severe financial distress to him and his family, amounting to a loss of around Rs 2 crore.

A case has been registered at the CEN police station, and investigations are underway.

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News Network
January 17,2025

kotekarbank.jpg

Mangaluru: In a brazen daylight robbery, a group of five to six armed individuals stormed into the Kotekar Vyavasaya Sahakara Seva Sangha branch at KC Road, Ullal taluk, and escaped with valuables estimated at ₹10-12 crore.

The incident occurred between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, according to Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal. The masked robbers, aged between 25-35, were armed with a pistol, talwar, and knife. They threatened the four to five employees present, forcing them to open the vault containing jewellery and other valuables.

The suspects spoke in Hindi and Kannada and fled the scene in a black Fiat car. Commissioner Agrawal confirmed that multiple police teams have been formed, and efforts are underway to track the culprits using technical surveillance and other leads.

CM Siddaramaiah Holds Emergency Meeting

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah convened a high-level meeting with senior police officials, including IGP Amit Singh, Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, SP Yathish N, and DySP, following the robbery.

Expressing dissatisfaction over security lapses, Siddaramaiah questioned, "How did this happen despite officials being present? Why were toll gates not secured?"

Officials reported that the bank had no security personnel and only five to six staff members on duty during the heist. The Chief Minister has directed authorities to enhance security across four districts, intensify checks at toll gates, and arrest the accused swiftly to ensure stringent legal action.

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News Network
January 15,2025

The US consulate in Bengaluru will hold its ‘site-dedication ceremony’ on January 17, with officials confirming that the location of the upcoming consulate will be disclosed during the event. Sources indicate that the site could be in either the Central Business District or Whitefield.

While the consulate building is under development, visa services may temporarily begin at the JW Marriott hotel, which currently houses the United States Commercial Service (USCS) office.

Bengaluru has long advocated for the establishment of a US consulate, and with its opening, residents of the city and Karnataka will no longer need to travel to other states for their US visa applications.

It was in January of the previous year that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to Bengaluru, expressed his intention to urge the US Ambassador to India to establish a consulate in the city. This move follows the announcement during Prime Minister Modi’s June 2023 visit to the US, where it was revealed that two new US consulates would open in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, and India would set up a mission in Seattle.

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