Bengaluru lottery scam: Didn’t know Paari Rajan was kingpin, says ADCP Alok Kumar

BENGALURU: A senior police officer has denied involvement in a lottery scam that has shaken the entire police force after the names of top ranking officials including two retired DGPs, one retired ADGP, one serving ADGP and an IGP, have made the rounds.

Speaking out for the first time, exclusively to Deccan Chronicle, Alok Kumar, challenged those who were throwing mud at him to prove their charges. Admitting that he knew Paari Rajan and that he has spoken to him as an acquaintance, he said he had spoken to the kingpin over 100 times, but had no idea what his real business was. “I have known him for the past few years after he came in contact with me through another officer. He is just an acquaintance and I have spoken to him several times. But, I have nothing to do with his dealings,” Mr Kumar said.

When asked whether any notice was issued to him by the investigating agency or whether he was questioned in this connection, Mr. Kumar said that no one from the CID had approached him in connection with the probe nor had he received a notice to appear for questioning. “If I am called for any questioning, I will cooperate with the investigating agency," he said.

Upset over allegations that he has a connection with some top bookies in Mumbai, he said: “I have never tolerated any anti-social activity and how can anyone accuse me of being involved in cricket betting. My track record speaks for me and my work. And I will fight all the allegations and I want an impartial probe into the allegations by an independent agency. Be it me or other officers, those who have nexus with anti-social elements must be punished. I am ready for investigation by any agency but the probe should be impartial," he said.

The CID sleuths who are probing the case are yet to determine the magnitude of the scam. They are however, contemplating issuing a notice to all the officers allegedly involved in the scam. Among the three retired officers who were allegedly involved in the scam, one held the top-most post of the state police, DG&IGP, and also had a legal battle related to the post, while the a second officer served as the Police Commissioner of the city before retiring as ADGP. The other officer, who was allegedly in touch with Rajan, is serving as ADGP in a task force in the city.