Absconding rowdy Naga applies for advance bail in note swap racket

History-sheeter V Nagaraj alias Naga, who went absconding after the police raided and seized Rs 14.8 crore in demonetised notes from his house and office in Srirampuram, has approached the court through his counsel seeking anticipatory bail.

Nagaraj, in his bail plea, cited that he was not aware of the demonetised notes that were stashed in his office and denied involvement in any anti-social activities since he had enough wealth which he had earned through hard work.

Nagaraj, who is suspected to be hiding in Tamil Nadu, said he has a good image in public because of his social service, and the police are trying to malign him based on a complaint filed by a person named Umesh, who is also an accused in the currency exchange racket, he mentioned in his plea.

Umesh and Praveen Kumar, son-in-law of MLC Veeranna Matthikatti, were among the 14 arrested in the demonetised currency exchange racket worth Rs. 9.1 crore, busted by the CCB before they raided Nagaraj’s places.

Meanwhile, four special teams headed by DCP (East) are trying to trace Nagaraj.

City-based relator Umesh, on April 7, had filed a complaint against Nagaraj with the Hennur police stating that he was abducted and taken to Nagaraj’s house and was released only after he paid Rs 50 lakh in old currency.

Police sources said they are yet to receive any communication from the court on Nagaraj’s anticipatory bail plea. “We will file objections and request the court not to grant bail as we are planning to book him under the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) as well,” said a senior police officer. Sources also hinted that he is bringing in political pressure to evade arrest.