Chitradurga MLA’s Vasantnagar flat, Challakere houses raided by ED

BENGALURU: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at houses and offices of Chitradurga Congress MLA Veerendra Pappi, seizing documents and other evidence related to alleged money laundering and online gaming irregularities. The police arrested him from Sikkim along with his friend.

The ED also raided Pappi’s brothers K C Nagaraj and K C Tippeswamy in Challakere and Bengaluru around 5.30 am, with a team of over 10 officials arriving in three Innova cars.

This is not the first time the ED has raided Pappi’s residence. In 2016, the Income Tax department had conducted raids and seized a large amount of cash.

The ED conducted raids at 16 locations, including Pappi’s residences in Chitradurga, Challakere and Bengaluru, as well as his offices and other properties. The agency is investigating Pappi’s alleged involvement in online gaming and casino operations, including money laundering and tax evasion.

Pappi is said to have owned several casinos and online gaming platforms, including Pappi’s Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino and Big Daddy Casino. The ED has registered two FIRs against Pappi in connection with online gaming irregularities.

The ED also raided Congress Rajarajeshwari Assembly constituency candidate, who is said to have been associated with Hanumantharayappa’s son Anil and has direct contact with him, in his business ventures. The agency is investigating the financial transactions between Pappi and Hanumantharayappa.

The accused Veerendra’s brother KC Thippeswamy owns three business entities — TRS Technologies, Prime 9 Technologies and Diamond Softtech — which are run from Dubai. KC Veerendra is involved in call center services and the gaming business. Kusuma’s brother Anil Gowda’s house was also raided.

The raids were conducted at over 30 locations across Chitradurga, Bengaluru, Jodhpur, Huballi and Mumbai, including five casinos in Goa. The ED is probing the alleged money laundering and tax evasion in the online gaming and casino industry.

Respoding to the raid, K C Nagaraj said, “We don’t know why the ED raid was conducted. We were informed, so I came straight from Bengaluru. It’s not clear if this is politically motivated. We are ready for any investigation. We have not engaged in any illicit money-making activities,” said Nagaraj. “MLA KC Veerendra is coming from Bengaluru and will arrive at the Challakere residence”, Nagaraj added.

After responding to the media, KC Nagaraj headed back to his residence, where ED officials were conducting a search. Nagaraj came along with his lawyer Umesh, but the ED official sent him back.

Lawyer Umesh, stated in Challakere town that Nagaraj was taken into custody by ED for questioning. “Congress MLA KC Veerendra’s phone is switched off. We have no information about ED taking him into custody. An ECIR has been filed, and ED is conducting an inquiry. KC Veerendra’s phone is switched off. We have no information about ED taking him into custody”, he said.