MLA ticket fraud case: Chaitra’s car traced in Mudhol; seized by CCB police

Team Udayavani, Sep 18, 2023, 10:52 AM IST

Bagalkote: A car belonging to Chaitra Kundapura, who has been a prime accused in the BJP MLA ticket fraud case, was found in Mudhol and has been seized.

CCB Police who are investigating the fraud case have confiscated the car bearing the number KA-20 ME 7253. The car was in the possession of Kiran Ganappagola, a Hindu organization leader of Mudhol. He has been detained and is being interrogated.

According to sources, the car was in Solapur, Maharashtra. On being alerted of Chaitra’s arrest, Kiran allegedly drove the car to Mudhol from there. The matter is being investigated.

Notice served to the complainant

Meanwhile, CCB police have issued a notice to the complainant in the case, Govinda Babu Poojary, seeking details of the source of the cash that was handed to the accused. Poojary has also been summoned for an inquiry, sources said.

 More gold, cash found

On Saturday, CCB police had traced assets worth Rs 1.08 Crore, gold jewellery worth Rs 65 lakhs, and cash worth Rs 40 lakhs from Chaitra’s home in Kundapura, bank accounts, and accounts of her relatives. On Sunday, additional assets worth Rs 1 crore including cash, gold, and bank deposits were traced in Kundapura, Bagalkote and other places, CCB sources said.

Government facilities misused?

Bengaluru/ Belur: There are allegations that Chaitra Kundapur and her associates, who have been accused of cheating a businessman of Rs 5 Crore, had misused the government facilities given to Salumarada Thimmakka.

It is said that the car used by Channa Nayak, who played the role of BJP Central Election Committee member, was availed by the government for the use of Salumarada Thimmakka. It is alleged that Thimmakka’s car was used to enter the Kumarakrupa guest house.

It is further alleged that Gagan Kadur, another accused in the case, and Umesh the adopted son of Salumarada Thimmakka are close friends. Gagan reportedly misused this friendship for personal gain.

Umesh meanwhile has rejected these claims. After the allegations surfaced, Thimmakka held a press conference at the residence of her adopted son Umesh in Belur. She and Umesh denied any wrongdoing on their part. Umesh accepted that he had been to Gagan’s wedding and said that he had been there out of courtesy after being invited. It is wrong to make baseless accusations, he said.