IMA Ponzi scam: Karnataka SIT arrests top bureaucrat on bribery charges and for alleged conspiracy

In a major development in the IMA Ponzi scheme, the Special Investigative Team (SIT) on Monday has arrested Deputy Commissioner (Urban) S Vijayshankar in Bengaluru in connection with the scam that has duped over 40,000 people of their money.

As per inputs, IAS officer Sri Vijayshankar has been arrested by the SIT on charges of receiving bribe of Rs 1.5 crore from IMA Jewels to forward a favourable report and for his involvement in the IMA nexus.

This development has come a week after the SIT had arrested Assistant Commissioner of Bengaluru North division LC Nagaraj on charges of receiving a bribe to pass a favourable report in the scam. 

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Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate, probing the scam, had summoned Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister in Kumaraswamy Cabinet BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan and MLA Roshan Baig over their connections with prime accused in the IMA Ponzi scam Mansoor Khan who has duped more than 40,000 investors. 

Meanwhile, on June 28, the ED has attached several immovable properties worth Rs. 197 crore of IMA scam accused Mansoor Khan along with Rs. 98 lakhs from more than 50 bank accounts under Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002.

The ED has attached 20 immovable properties held in the name of Mansoor Khan, whose valuation is about Rs. 197 Crore. Also, the ED has also identified 105 bank accounts, in which the available balance is around Rs. 12 Crore. The total amount of the seizures is about Rs 209 crore.

Responding to the developments, Karnataka BJP leader Yeddyurappa had demanded the state government to refer the case to CBI so that the culprits are punished.

"ED has already given the notice and asked him to come to the ED office. They (Zameer Ahmed) are all supporting the people who have cheated the people. Only CBI enquiry can bring out the truth in the IMA case. I will enforce again the state government to refer it to the CBI so that truth will come out and the culprits will be punished," Yeddyurappa had said speaking to the media. 

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