In second video, rowdy Nagaraj says 'I trust only Parameshwara'

Former corporator V Nagaraj, who has been on the run ever since police raided his house and office in Srirampuram on April 14 on the suspicion that he was running a currency exchange racket, has released another video, heavily praising Home Minister G Parameshwara.

Calling Parameshwara a “gentleman”, the history-sheeter said that if the minister asked him to surrender, he would show up in “10 minutes” provided all the “false cases” registered against him were dropped. He compared Parameshwara to the late politician and his idol Jeevaraj Alva. The video was released by his lawyer.

Nagaraj once again blamed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and senior police officers, saying they would be “responsible” if something happens to him. “There are many police officers who are into illegal business and I have evidence to that effect. I can press for a CBI enquiry against them by approaching the Supreme Court, but that would embarrass the government,” he said.

Nagaraj said the police were foisting “false cases” on him to scuttle his chances of contesting the next Assembly elections. Stating that he was 57 years old and had enough wealth to live lavishly for the rest of his life, he said he was not inclined to carry out illegal activities. The former corporator reiterated his accusation that Additional Commissioner of Police (East) Hemant Nimbalkar, along with Assistant Commissioner of Police Sadiq Khan, Hennur police inspector T Srinivas and three other inspectors, had “hatched a conspiracy” against him. He said the police were “framing” him by using several people as complainants.

Nimbalkar was quick to dismiss Nagaraj’s claims who, he said, was desperate to surrender but wanted to avoid police interrogation to hide his criminal activities. “There is a warrant against him and our men will arrest him soon,” the officer said. Nagaraj had released the first CD on April 22 and claimed that police had “planted” Rs 14.8 crore in scrapped banknotes found in his house. He further claimed that the money belonged to one Manjunath, the chief minister’s “special personal assistant”, and four senior IPS officers.

Nine more cases 

Nagaraj at present faces two cases registered at Hennur and Nagarabhavi police stations. The Hennur case pertains to the allegation that he kidnapped and extorted Rs 50 lakh from a real estate businessman named Umesh. In the Nagarabhavi case, Nagaraj is accused of extorting Rs 5 crore in demonetised currency from a businessman named Kumar. The complainant said he and his friends had pooled the notes and approached Nagaraj to exchange them for a commission. Kumar said he was assaulted and forced to leave the notes at Nagaraj’s house in Srirampuram.

This apart, nine more people are willing to file complaints of extortion and other crimes against Nagaraj, a police source said. The history sheet was reopened against Nagaraj only a day after the raid.

Bail plea hearing today

Nagaraj’s lawyer, Sriram Reddy, said they would file a writ petition before the High Court of Karnataka if the government refused to hand over the case to the CBI. He claimed to have solid evidence for getting a favourable verdict.

Meanwhile, Nagaraj’s bail application will be heard by the 70th district sessions court on Wednesday. Reddy said he had concluded his arguments at the last hearing. The court will go through the station diary which the SHO had failed to submit at the last hearing. Thereafter, the judge will post the application for orders, probably on Wednesday itself, he said.