CID begins probe into dead DySP's role in Bajrang Dal-linked kidnap case

Chikkamagaluru, Jul 7: Two teams of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has began investigations into the kidnap case in which police officer Kallappa Handibag, who was found dead on Tuesday, was allegedly involved.

Handibag committed suicide in Belagavi district on Tuesday after a case was booked against him. The main accused in the kidnap case was a Bajrang Dal activist.

DySPOn Wednesday, Additional Director General of Police, CID, Prathap Reddy held a meeting at the SP's office here. "Two teams have been constituted and will be working simultaneously. While one will probe the suspected involvement of the officer in the kidnapping case, another will delve into his suicide. The investigation is in its preliminary stage and is expected to be completed in five days. A report will be submitted to the government," he said.

The officer said the kidnapped businessman Tejas Gowda was involved in cricket betting and chit fund and other illegal financial dealings in Belagavi and Chikkamagaluru. It is said the complainant Tejas claimed to have handed over a ransom of Rs 10 lakh to the DySP. The probe team will look into all these angles, Reddy said.

The district crime investigation bureau has handed over relevant documents to CID. This apart, the SP has submitted an internal inquiry report.

Barring Nataraj, one of the main accused and who is already in police custody, no fresh arrests have been made.

Reddy said it was too early to assert that Handibag was in contact with the accused Khandya Pravin. Pravin and two of his friends Abhijit and Jeevan Shetty are absconding.

Earlier in the day, a team of investigators headed by CID SP Rajappa visited Basavanahalli police station where the kidnapping case was filed. He also visited the house where Handibag stayed, but it was locked. Investigators met Tejas and his friends Shivu and Pawan, besides inspecting the spots from where he was kidnapped on June 28 and the ransom was reportedly handed over to the DySP.

Tejas and his friends were interrogated by Reddy, IGP (Western range) Arun Chakravarthy and Chikkamagaluru SP K Santosh Babu. A few suspected to be involved in cricket betting were also questioned.

Meanwhile, an audio clip related to the case has gone viral on phone messaging app WhatsApp. One of the kidnappers, identified as Jeeva, had called Tejas two days after he was released.

According to the 18-minute conversation, Jeeva tells Tejas: "You were kidnapped and brought to Bengaluru as one Jeevan Shetty has given the supari. The amount (for kidnapping) remains to be paid. If you (Tejas) are ready to pay us, we will finish off Jeevan Shetty. DySP is behind your kidnap.

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