Venkatesh Prasanna accused of extortion, blackmail, underworld links

[email protected] (CD Network)
February 13, 2016

Mangaluru, Feb 13: City based entrepreneur Prabhakar N Poonja has accused senior police officer Venkatesh Prasanna of indulging in blackmailing, extortion besides fake encounters with the support of underworld.

prasanna1
The Chairman & Managing Director of Mangaluru-based Poonja International Hotel, at a press meet in the city on Saturday demanded a high level probe into Mr Prasanna’s alleged links with underworld and his other illegal activities.

Accusing Mr Prasanna of spreading false and baseless rumours against him, Mr Poonja said that he was planning to file defamation case against the former in the high court.

Claiming that he is facing life threats, the hotelier said that if anything happened to him in future Mr Prasanna should be held responsible.

Mr Prasanna, who holds a doctorate in Kannada literature and won a president’s medal in 2015, worked in different parts of coastal Karnataka in different positions after joining the police department in 1994 as a sub-inspector. He worked in Mangaluru city for nearly 15 years.

Mr Poonja said that when Mr Prasanna was heading Dakshina Kannada district crime investigation bureau, the latter had raided Poonja International under the pretext of prostitution.

“When Mr Prasanna found nothing in the hotel, he demanded bribe from me. I refused his demand and made it clear that no such business was allowed in our star hotel,” he said.

He said that initially Mr Prasanna had promised him to protect him from the underworld threats, but later started demanding money and began to issue threats.

Brushing aside allegations made against him of having links with underworld, Mr Poonja said that nearly five years ago he had spoken to a person who identified himself as an underworld don over phone.

“Nearly five years ago city based businessman KC Nayak had received a threat call from underworld don Bannanje Raje demanding Rs 1 crore. Mr Nayak was worried. Since Mr Nayak was my close friend I had called back the same number and asked the caller why he was threatening a senior person. I don’t have any other links with underworld,” Mr Poonja said.

Accompanied by Mr KC Nayak in the press meet, Mr Poonja said that recently Mr Prasanna had sent him a notice asking him to appear for questioning. “It was a bogus notice and I have brought this issue to the notice of senior police officers,” he said.

He went on to claim that if a hotel owner or builder refuses to fulfill demands of Mr Prasanna, he gives their contact number to underworld elements to issue threats.

Comments

Kamlesh
 - 
Wednesday, 11 Oct 2017

These corrupt police officers need to be taught a lesson and only the brave can stand up to them.Mr Poonja is is one of the most reputed and honourable man of the city with a long legacy.not only does Mr Poonja do social service actively but is a man of his words!Congratualtions Mr Poonja for all you have achieved.Wishing you success always!

Mandeep Cheema
 - 
Thursday, 26 May 2016

Mr Poonja is Brother in law of Sharad Shetty, but he looks totally clean and should not be blamed just for this infamous connection leading to D-company but it should be thoroughly probed at the same time.

Jonathan
 - 
Monday, 21 Mar 2016

h my goodness! A fantastic article dude.
Thankyou Nevertheless I'm experiencing problem with ur rss.
Don’t know why Not Able To contribute
to it. Is there anybody finding equivalent rss problem?
Anyone who knows please answer.Thanks

My weblog steam gift card codes: http://Www.Realhacks24.com/steam-wallet-hack/

ranjith poojary
 - 
Monday, 15 Feb 2016

Dear George ... we hope that the christian terrorists stop the world activity of terrorising the world peace.. we can see what happened in afghanistan.. iraq and other countries.. world war 2 was by the christians... killed millions of jews.. wake up and stop using words like islamic terrorist..

ankita
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

@rakesh wow am shocked at how narrow minded people are these days.Punish the family for someone else's crime?is that what you are implying?.if you lived in mangalore you would know how famous and well respected Mr Prabhakar Poonja is and everyone knows he

kapi
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

@rakesh your comment shows how ignorant you are!just because sharat shetty took the wrong turn in life doesn't mean family related to him should be seen in the same light! Give you an example just because \Ravana was evil we all very well know \"vibeeshan

Sarith kinya
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

some people say prasnna is supplying snake venom (poison).

Rakesh
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

Is mr Prabhakar poonja in law of infamous Sharad shetty..who was with dawood Ibrahim ..????? Is he the same guy?...please correct if I am wrong .we are well aware that d company threatened venkatesh openly (rashid malabari during court visit).case must be properly probed .

George
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

Mr Venkat prasanna is tough cop..who took bold steps against Islamic terrorists ,this case must be probed properly as Islamic terrorist rashid malabari had once threatened to teach lesson to mr prasanna openly as he exposed isi and Muslim underworld nexus in Mangalore.this case must be properly probed .it is well known fact that isi gets boost during congress rule and our strict policers are often targeted .

Pria
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

Venkatesh should be suspended for defaming one of the most important, honourable and respected man like Mr poonja!corrupt police officers like him should be suspended!good job mr poonja for speaking up!

IBRAHIM.HUSSAIN
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

There are plenty of black sheep's in Police department and civil society that cannot be ignored.

Mani
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

i was waiting for this day ,,,,this saffronist police office ...even he is a black spot for them

amir
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

corrupt officer wearing a facade all this time. while trying to steal from the rich.kudos to Mr Poonja for doing this.This man should be suspended and medals should be revoked.

Sahil
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

Anyone saying somethin like if it's planned why would he raid poonja in the first place?..everyone living in mangalore knws it's the oldest and safest hotel there is..prasanna is corrupt and needs to be taught a lesson

Ankit
 - 
Sunday, 14 Feb 2016

At the comments supporting prasanna just remember your supporting corruption as well. Why would a reputed person such as poonja accuse him of such a serious crime he wouldn't get anything other then a long trial at the court for standing up against a corrupt officer .i have heard of such cases against prasanna before it's just that no one ever brought it to light and we should support poonja for doing this. Medal or not corruption and extortion is wrong and since I've heard many stories about him attacking the rich for money poonja's word and repute definitely prevail's over his.also raiding a hotel was wrong anyone living in the city knws it's the oldest and safest one around to the below people who called this planned .please give your justification for the raid then? No one can fake that especially when nothin was found.the raid will definetely be in the records prasanna can't deny that. I hope he's forced to resign we don't need such corrupt officials bullying people

saurav
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

Hoax,unwanted use of bureaucracy,defamtion may proove too costly for mr.venkatesh prassana for defaming one of the most important person of costal region.The district administration should look after this case very closely so that important people of the society like Mr prabakar poonja is not defamed by any burrucant for unwanted reasons

hrashikesh
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

This is fall fake ..
Phrakar poonja is a well known person ..
It's just tht the cops r expecting something from him
Please stop spreading the fake newd

Alwyn
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

Any way probe in this regards highly recommended as mr. Prassanna track records is not clean.

Mohan
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

I am very shocked and disturbed to read this article people like MR Prassana should be imvestigated properly!i know Mr Poonja and Mr Nayak personally they are honest,well reputed business men of the city and such baseless false allegations against them is so shameful and that too without any proof!these police officers are so corrupt they need to be taught a lesson

Mohan
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

I am very shocked to read this article,I know mr Poonja and mr Nayak personally and they are very honest and reputed people of the city,so for MR Prassana to harass them is wrong,he is a corrupt police officer and probing needs to be done in this matter before he targets other business men as well!

Kalndar
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

Suspend Venktesh first

raj
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

question is not if he has gold medal or not , prasannas name had cropped up in encounter of lawyer shaju which was considered as a fake encounter and investigation is going on .
corruption in police department is not a new thing

Pria
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

Good to see that Mr Poonja has come out in the open and talked about it,people like Prasanna who harass innocent people need to be taught a lesson!they are up to no good and utilise their power to make money!so shameful

Manjula
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

an investigation should definitely be conducted

Miserable
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

This is planned allegation. Mr. Prasanna is a very good gentleman and never ask for any bribe. All politics going on....

Narvante
 - 
Saturday, 13 Feb 2016

Venkatesh prasanna is a hero for local kannada news papers..

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 3,2025

arrival.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
coastaldigest.com news network
November 28,2025

roadshow.jpg

Udupi district transformed into a sea of saffron and celebration on Friday, November 28, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow swept through the coastal temple town. Thousands of residents lined the streets, turning the event into a vibrant public spectacle filled with cheers, flags, and festive energy.

The procession route—from the helipad to the historic Sri Krishna Math—was decked with buntings, saffron flags, and multilayered security barricades. One of the district’s largest-ever security deployments was put in place for the high-profile visit, with over 3,000 police personnel on duty. The arrangement included ten SPs, 27 DSPs, 49 inspectors, 127 sub-inspectors, 232 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,608 constables, and 39 women staff.

Six platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, six Quick Response Teams, bomb detection units, and dog squads were stationed across Udupi. Enhanced surveillance covered Adi Udupi, Bannanje bus stand, and the Sri Krishna Math parking zone, with combing operations carried out along the roadshow corridor.

At the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Math, preparations reached a ceremonial peak. Paryaya Puttige Math seer Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji said the Prime Minister would take part in the Laksha Kantha Geetha Parayana, a mass chanting of the Bhagavad Gita by one lakh devotees, and inaugurate the new Suvarna Teertha Mantapa.

“He will first offer floral tributes to saint-poet Kanakadasa and then unveil the golden covering over the Kanakana Kindi,” the seer said.

The Prime Minister will also receive a Poorna Kumbha welcome and have darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, Mukhyaprana Devaru, and the Suvarna Paduke. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister Bairathi Suresh, Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, and seers from the Ashta Maths are expected to join the ceremony.

Ahead of his arrival, the Prime Minister posted on X that he felt “honoured” to attend the spiritually significant gathering. “This is a special occasion that brings together people from different sections of society for a recital of the Gita. This Matha has a very special significance in our cultural life,” he wrote, noting the institution’s long-standing legacy rooted in the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya.

roadshow2.jpg

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 29,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday put up a dramatic display of unity at a closely watched joint press briefing, firmly dismissing weeks of speculation about a power-sharing tussle within the Congress. With the high command nudging both leaders to sit together and settle the dust, the meeting became a political spectacle, ending with the duo declaring that there was “no confusion, no differences.”

Calling the reports of a rift “manufactured confusion,” Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone smoothly, even joking about their breakfast. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to end this confusion once and for all. For local elections and for 2028, our mission is clear — Congress must return to power. There is no difference between me and DKS, not now, not before.”

He blamed the media for fuelling rumours and reiterated absolute adherence to the party leadership. “From tomorrow, let there be no confusion. What the high command says, we will follow.”

Siddaramaiah also assured that the Assembly session starting December 8 would run smoothly and vowed that Congress would take on the BJP and JD(S) “together.”

Shivakumar echoed the chief minister word for word, stressing loyalty and discipline. “People have given us a massive mandate. It is our duty to deliver,” he said. “This government was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. We both have complete trust in the high command. If they tell me to wait, I will wait.”

He added that the two leaders had discussed strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections. “Whatever the CM says, I agree. We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party may be facing challenges nationally, but we will keep it strong in Karnataka.”

Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah would soon visit his home for lunch or dinner — another symbolic gesture meant to underline their unity.

Both leaders later posted on social media describing the breakfast meeting as “productive” and focused on “Karnataka’s priorities.”

The BJP, however, rejected the show of camaraderie as “pure bunkum,” accusing Congress of trying to paper over an internal power struggle. But Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar insisted their united front would continue — and that there was “no confusion” within the state leadership.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.