IMA scam: Red corner for ‘in the red’ Mansoor?

Bengaluru: In a sign that the probe was widening, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the multi-crore 'I Monetory Advisory ' (IMA) investment scam asked CBI to seek Interpol's help to trace the owner Mohammed Mansoor Khan.

The absconding MD of IMA has reportedly fled to Dubai, leaving thousands of investors in the lurch.  The SIT has approached the Home and External Affairs Ministry to issue a Red Corner Notice against Mansoor Khan to facilitate his arrest.  

“Yes, we have asked for a red corner notice against Mansoor Khan," SIT chief and DIG Dr. B. R Ravikanthe Gowda confirmed. The IMA ponzi scheme in which over 40,000 inves tors have been cheated of over Rs 5,000 crore, is reportedly the biggest scam to rock Karnataka.  People not only from Bengaluru and Karna taka, but also from Hyderabad, neighbouring Tamil Nadu and New Delhi have invested in the company.  SIT chief Ravi kanthe Gowda probing the scam told reporters that Mansoor, the main accused in the multi-crore investment scam, fled the country in the first week of June.

Considering the magnitude of the scam which involves thousands of crores of hard earned money of poor investors in IMA, the Central government is likely to approach International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) soon after which the INTERPOL will issue the Red Corner Notice to all countries and International Airports to seek location and arrest of Mansoor Khan.

Mansoor Khan has been absconding since June 7. The IMA scam went public after an audio clip purpotedly by him went viral in which he threatened to end his life following harrasment from Shivaji Nagar MLA R Roshan Baig who according to Mansoor had taken Rs 400 crore from him and refused to return the sum.  

It is learnt that Mansoor had flown to Dubai where he has already set up businesses.

Meanwhile, the SIT sleuths who raided IMA jewels and the house of Mansoor's third divorced wife Tabassum Bank, have found Rs 33 crore worth jewels, precious gems and documents.

The team during the raid at IMA Jewels' showroom at Jayanagar have seized 43 kg gold worth Rs 13 crore, 5,864 carat of diamond worth Rs 17.6 crore, 520 kg of silver worth Rs 1.5 crore and precious gems worth Rs 1.5 crore. The SIT found 1.5 kg of gold, 1.5 kg silver and Rs 2.69 lakh cash from Tabassum's house in Shivajinagar, a press note from the SIT read.