Karnataka lottery scam: CBI takes case papers from CID

BENGALURU: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken the files and relevant material in the illegal lottery scam from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after it registered a case in the FIR - 64/2015 on August 11. The CID was investigating the case till the Chief Minister on May 26 announced that he is handing over the illegal single digit lottery scam, in which some senior police officers were reportedly involved, to the CBI.

The case was initially registered by the then Excise Enforcement & Lottery Prohibition Wing, Kolar Gold Fields, under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by a public servant), 420 (cheating) & 34 (common intent) of IPC and Section 5 & 7 of Lottery Prohibition Act against ‘prime accused’ Pari Rajan, a resident of BEML Nagar, KGF and some unknown others. Rajan was arrested and is currently in judicial custody.

Director General of Police, CID Kishore Chandra said that he has signed the order on handing over the case files and material to the CBI. According to sources, the CBI team from Delhi will investigate the case and has already visited KGF to make preliminary inquiry in the inter-state lottery scam and is likely to seek the police custody of Rajan for custodial interrogation. According to reliable sources, Rajan may not be the prime accused in the racket.

“He seems to be a facilitator between the kingpin and the official ‘patrons.’ The CBI will have to unearth the face behind the scam,” said an officer on condition of anonymity. The investigating officers will also summon suspended IPS  officer Alok Kumar and superintendent of the disbanded Excise and Lottery Prohibition Wing Dharnesh for recording their statements.

Kumar was suspended after his call detail records allegedly reflected that he was in constant touch with Rajan and had even given a controversial instruction to the sub inspector, who had arrested Rajan. After his suspension Kumar had written to the Ministry of Home Affairs that he was denied the process of natural justice and his suspension was a ‘hasty’ step.  Karnataka was declared a lottery free zone in 2007, but illegal single digit lottery and cricket betting has reportedly flourished in the State with the help of official patronage.