DySP Handibag played into the hands of VHP leader: CID probe

BENGALURU: The CID probe into the suicide of Chikkamagaluru DySP Kallappa Handibag has revealed that the officer was no way linked to the kidnapping of Tejas Gowda, which later led to his suicide. Further, the prime accused in the kidnapping case and VHP leader Praveen Khandya misused his acquaintance with the DySP and trapped him, leading to his suicide for no mistake of his.

CID sources said that a 14-page report on the progress of the investigation was submitted to the Home Department recently. “Though the DySP helped Praveen in getting the money, he had no clue it was ransom money. It all started in May first week when Kalmane Nataraj, the owner of Kalmane Chit Fund, approached the DySP and complained about Tejas Gowda not returning Rs 25 lakh. Mr Handibag immediately summoned Gowda and asked him to return the money. Gowda took a month’s time,” an official said.

“As Gowda did not return the money in a month, Nataraj approached Praveen, who already had several criminal cases against him, and gave him a supari (contract) to kidnap Gowda and recover the money. As an advance, Nataraj had also deposited '1.5 lakh into the bank account of Praveen’s close aide Naveen Shetty’s wife. Praveen pooled a group of men and kidnapped Gowda from Ayyanakere in Chikkamagaluru on June 27. Gowda was brought to a dog breeding centre run by Shetty in Sanjaynagar in Bengaluru and was tortured. Gowda agreed to pay them '10 lakh immediately,” the official said.

“Gowda contacted his friend Shivadattu in Chikkamagaluru and asked him to arrange Rs 10 lakh immediately. After the money was arranged, Gowda asked Shivadattu to give it to another friend Pavan. As per Praveen’s instruction, Gowda asked Pavan to give the money to DySP Handibag. On June 28 afternoon, Pavan contacted the DySP over phone and told him that Praveen had asked him to hand over the money to the DySP. A few minutes earlier, Praveen had contacted the DySP and told him that his friend would give some cash to him. Praveeen told the DySP that as he was out of town, his another friend, Pradeep, would collect the money. Sensing nothing suspicious, the DySP agreed. Within minutes, Pavan went to the DySP’s house and kept a bag containing Rs 10 lakh and left. Pradeep arrived, told the DySP that he was sent by Praveen and took away the cash bag. Later, the money was handed over to Praveen,” the officer said.

“Until Gowda, who was released by the abductors, filed a complaint, Mr Handibag was not aware that he had helped the kidnappers get the ransom money. After the FIR was registered against him and the news was telecast on TV channels, Mr Handibag was depressed and took the extreme step,” the official said. Mr Handibag reportedly knew Praveen as they had met several times during peace committee meetings organised by the police during festivals.