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Karnataka mining baron Reddy freed on bail in Ponzi case

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Bengaluru, Nov 14 (IANS) Karnataka’s mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy was set free from the city central jail on Wednesday hours after a local court granted him bail in an alleged Ponzi-related bribery case.

“The jail superintendent allowed Reddy to walk free out of the Parapanna Agrahara prison after his counsel submitted the bail order from the court,” a police officer told IANS.

Earlier, Additional City Metropolitan Magistrate V. Jagdish granted bail to Reddy with Rs 1-lakh bond and two sureties of the same amount.

“Granting the bail, the judge, however, warned Reddy against tampering with evidence or influencing the witnesses and directed him to cooperate with the case investigation by the state Central Crime Branch (CCB),” said the official.

Reddy, 51, was arrested and jailed on Sunday after the judge remanded him in 14-judicial custody for allegedly helping the two accused in the Ponzi scam from being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Reddy’s counsel Chandrashekar told reporters later that the bail was granted, as the prosecution failed to provide evidence of his client’s nexus with the accused of the investment firm Ambidant Marketing Ltd.

The city-based firm is alleged to have duped about 15,000 investors by raising Rs 954 crore through a Ponzi scheme over the last 2-3 years.

“My client (Reddy) was fixed in the Ambidant case unnecessarily. The CCB sleuths had grilled him for over 24 hours on November 10-11 at their office when he appeared before them on summons,” charged Chandrashekhar.

Stepping out of the jail, Reddy told reporters that he was named as an accused without evidence and accused Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of taking revenge on him by dragging him in the Ponzi case.

“A false case was foisted on me. No notice was given to me earlier about the case. It is unfair to call me an accused even before the CCB served notice or summoned me for interrogation,” recalled Reddy.

Alleging that there was no safety for him under the present (JD-S-Congress) coalition government, the former BJP minister said an unsafe environment was created around his house in Bengaluru and Ballari in the state’s northwest region.

“I feel sorry for not been able to pay last respects to Union Minister Ananth Kumar as I was in the jail since Sunday night,” lamented Reddy.

Kumar, 59, died on Monday at a private hospital in the city and was cremated on Tuesday with full state honours.

The CCB had accused Reddy of taking Rs 2 crore in cash and 57 kg gold valued at Rs 18 crore from the accused Syed Ahmed Fareed and his son Syed Afaq Ahmed of Ambidant to allegedly bribe ED officials probing their Ponzi scam.

“The CCB charged Reddy with cheating, forgery and conspiracy, but failed to prove his involvement in the case,” reiterated the counsel.

State Home Minister G. Parameshwara, however, denied any intention behind Reddy’s arrest and said the police were working within the legal framework.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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