Bengaluru: A conman, who defrauded a district health officer of ₹7 lakh by pretending to be the chief minister’s personal secretary, has been arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB).
The accused, Suresh, 40, a resident of Siddalingapura in Mysuru, was caught and ₹3.5 lakh was recovered from him. Suresh had deceived Dr. Jayashree M. Emmi, the District Health Officer (DHO) of Bagalkot. She filed a complaint with the CCB after Suresh claimed to be CM Siddaramaiah’s personal secretary and promised to confirm her posting in Bagalkot.
A team led by ACP Govindaraju V (Organised Crime Wing – West) apprehended Suresh in Mysuru, and he was remanded in judicial custody on Wednesday.
A senior police officer revealed that Suresh has seven prior cases registered against him in Bengaluru and Mysuru, making this his eighth. Despite being a school dropout, he had ties with multiple political parties in Mysuru and had assumed various identities, including that of a tahsildar, to swindle people.
Accused Knew CMO Staff:
Suresh was familiar with many staff members in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). He was aware that Dr. Rajkumar Yargal was appointed as the DHO of Bagalkot on August 11, 2023, while Dr. Emmi was not assigned any position. Dr. Emmi had approached the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal to challenge her transfer and received favorable orders.
Suresh contacted Dr. Emmi using two mobile numbers: one registered under his wife’s name, which appeared as an under-secretary on Truecaller, and another registered under his name, displayed as Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru. He initially called Dr. Emmi using his wife’s number, introducing himself as Ramaiah, the CM’s PS. Trusting the Truecaller ID, Dr. Emmi believed him. Suresh assured her of a government order to retain her post and collected money from her on multiple occasions. The fraud was uncovered when Dr. Emmi met the real Ramaiah.
In a previous incident, Suresh had also called an ex-MP, posing as a judge in Mysuru, and requested financial assistance to construct a temple. The ex-MP later discovered Suresh’s deceit.