Police, influential persons shielded gold fraud accused; DC urged for CBI probe

Mysuru: Members of the Karnataka Rashtra Samithi (KRS) party have urged the Deputy Commissioner (DC) to initiate legal action against Police officials and influential persons linked to accused Soundar Raj alias Chinnathambi in the multi-crore gold fraud case.

In a memorandum submitted to the DC on Thursday, the party also sought confiscation of the assets of those involved in the fraud and urged the DC to recommend a CBI probe.

The memorandum was submitted by the victims and KRS leaders to the staff of the DC’s office in the presence of the party’s State Honorary President, Ravikrishna Reddy.

Chinnathambi, Proprietor of Dhana Ganapathi Gold and Diamond Firm (DGF), is accused of cheating customers by promising to buy gold ornaments at premium prices and offer loans at low interest rates.

KRS leaders alleged that Chinnathambi operated business entities, including SDJ Gold, ATJ Gold, DGF Gold and Diamonds, & Dhana Ganapathi Finance in Mysuru and cheated customers of crores of rupees.

Claiming that the fraud involved several people and not Chinnathambi alone, they demanded action against all those hand-in-glove with him.

Lured with advertisements

Chinnathambi had lured customers with advertisements offering gold loans at low interest rates and had been cheating innocent people for the past 10 years with the support of Police officials, they alleged and claimed that more than 600 kg of pledged gold had been illegally melted.

Alleging the involvement of senior Police officials, elected representatives and other influential persons in the scam, the KRS leaders expressed doubts over the City Crime Branch’s ability to conduct an impartial investigation.

They further alleged that the CCB had tampered with complaints submitted by victims and reiterated their demand for a CBI inquiry.

KRS leaders Nagendra and Ravindra, Mysuru City President R. Nagaraj, General Secretary N. Harish and others were present.