The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru has apprehended three people for their involvement in creating and selling forged identity documents. The forged documents included voter identity cards, Aadhaar cards, driving licences, PAN cards, and other important documents. Mounesh Kumar, Bhagath, and Raghavendra were booked on October 19 and subsequently arrested for selling the fake documents at a premium, presenting them as genuine. The CCB has revealed that Mounesh Kumar, one of the key figures, may have a connection to Karnataka’s Minister of Urban Development and Town Planning, Suresha B. S., also referred to as Byrathi Suresh.
Several photographs have surfaced on social media featuring Mounesh Kumar alongside Minister Suresha B. S. One of the pictures shows the minister feeding Mounesh sweets. In addition, a birthday greeting was posted online, featuring a photograph of both the minister and the accused. Importantly, these arrests have taken place just months before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In response to the arrest and the photographs, Minister Suresha stated that he regularly interacts with numerous people who come to meet him and take pictures. He raised a pertinent question about his accountability if everyone who takes a photograph with him ends up being involved in illicit activities. By way of illustration, he mentioned the case of a former corporator from Bengaluru who was allegedly linked to extortion. The accused, in that case, had taken pictures alongside the former Chief Minister of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a local Member of the Legislative Assembly.
Suresha emphasized that simply taking a photograph with him does not imply any wrongdoing on his part. When informed that the CCB had released a photograph of Mounesh with him, Suresha responded by saying that he was unaware of it and had no problem with it. He sarcastically added that anyone could put up as many photographs as they wanted. Furthermore, he mentioned that the State Police, CCB, and Central Police all fall under his government. He maintained that he was not aware of the arrest and release of the accused when questioned. When asked if he knew the individuals who were arrested, he stated that he knew everyone.
Suresha reiterated that he is acquainted with the entire population of Karnataka. While he acknowledged knowing many people, he firmly asserted that he should not be held responsible for any wrongdoing committed by them. He urged for a thorough investigation and stated that those who have committed crimes will be punished accordingly.
