Just a day after Parliament approved the Online Gaming Bill, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) uncovered a staggering 12 crores in cash from the residence of Karnataka Congress Leader, K.C. Veerendra. Alongside the cash, ED seized jewelry valued at 6 crores.
The ED had initiated a probe into K.C. Veerendra, a Congress MLA from Chitradurga district, and others on charges of indulging in online and offline gambling.
Source: aajtak
Crackdowns Across States
The ED carried out raids across 31 locations nationwide, including cities like Gangtok, Chitradurga district, Bengaluru, Hubli, Jodhpur, Mumbai, and Goa. In Goa, actions were taken in five casinos, including Pappy’s Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino, Pappy’s Casino Pride, Ocean 7 Casino, and Big Daddy Casino.
Business Operations from Dubai
The investigation revealed that the accused managed multiple online betting sites under names such as King567 and Raja567. Additionally, the accused’s brother, K.C. Thippeswami, operates three companies from Dubai: Diamond Softek, TRS Technologies, and Prime9 Technologies. These firms are involved in call center services and gaming businesses. Furthermore, another brother, K.C. Nagraj, and his son, Prithvi N. Raj, are alleged participants.
Source: aajtak
Cash, Jewelry, Silver, Luxury Cars
The raid revealed about 12 crores in cash, including 1 crore in foreign currency, approximately 6 crores worth of gold, 10 kilograms of silver, and four luxury cars. Additionally, 17 bank accounts were frozen, and two lockers were sealed. The ED found crucial documents and evidence indicating attempts to launder illicit earnings through complex layering strategies.
MLA Arrested from Gangtok
Recent information indicated that Veerendra visited Gangtok with associates to potentially acquire a land casino lease. During this visit, the ED apprehended him in Gangtok. On Saturday, he was presented in a local court where the ED secured a transit remand to transfer him to a Bengaluru court.
