BENGALURU:High voltage drama unfolded when the Karnataka police went to nab former corporator Nagaraj who was on the run for almost a month. He was arrested after a 25-kilometre chase as he tried to escape with his sons from a hideout in Arcot, Tamil Nadu in a Maruti Omni van. Some policemen were also injured during the chase.
During the chase, Nagaraj dialled 100 out of fear and told the local Tamil Nadu police that he was being chased by people armed with weapons. The local police rushed to his help but by that time, the ex-corporator was already in the net of Bengaluru city police. A minor altercation ensued between the Vellore district police and Bengaluru city police, who were in plainclothes and the cops had to call Additional Commissioner of Police(east)Hemant Nimbalkar for help. Nimbalkar then called Vellore SP and told him about Nagaraj case, following which the local police were convinced and allowed Bengaluru city police to arrest Nagaraj and his sons.
Cops kept a track of him
Releasing CDs from the hideout helped city police nab former corporator Nagaraj who was on the run for past almost a month.
According to police sources, “On Monday when Nagaraj released the second CD through his counsel, they gathered details about Nagaraj’s location and a team was immediately sent to Tamil Nadu.”
“Police were also tracking the numbers that Nagaraj used and were tracking him. It was, however, not so easy for cops as Nagaraj kept changing sim cards to make phone calls to his family members and friends,” sources said.
While in hiding, he stayed mostly near temples. He used fake number plates for his vehicle and also received money from Ranjith and other sources.
Releasing CDs proved costly
DCP (East) Ajay Hillori was given the responsibility to look into the Nagaraj’s modus operandi. Going by his past records, it was likely that he would file false complaints and cases against the senior officers and investigating officers to demoralize them. This time he tried to malign the image of police by releasing CDs twice.
“We were able to track the ex-corporator after he approached media houses by releasing the CDs allegedly through his advocate,” said Hillori.
The big chase
April 7
A person named Umesh files a complaint with the Hennur police against Nagaraj stating that he was abducted and taken to the latter’s residence and was released only after he paid K50 lakh.
April 14:
A special police team from the East division raids Nagaraj’s house in Srirampura and finds demonetised currency worth K14.80 crore. Nagaraj and his sons - Gandhi and Shastry - are ‘missing’.
April 19:
Nagaraj applies for anticipatory bail before a local court.
april 20:
Police file objection, asking the court not to sanction bail to Nagaraj.
April 22:
Nagaraj, through his counsel, releases a video footage making serious allegations against a few politicians, police officials and bureaucrats. He alleges that he was ‘fixed’ in the case for political reasons.
April 24:
Police approach court to issue search warrant against Nagaraj.
April 28:
Nagaraj’s counsel issues notice to City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood asking them not to refer him as ‘Bomb Naga’ or ‘Pal Naga’. In 2015, High court had issued an order to not to refer to Nagaraj with the above nicknames as his image will be maligned in society
May 4:
Police arrest Nagaraj’s associates Saravana, Srinivas and bouncer Jai Krishnan.
May 5:
Local court rejects anticipatory bail plea of Nagaraj
May 6:
Police arrest Nagaraj’s relative Ranjith in Thalaghattapura who was allegedly in constant touch with Nagaraj.
May 8:
Nagaraj releases second video clip, blames a few politicians and police. He is also seen appreciating Home Minister G Parameshwara in the video
May 11:
Police arrest Nagaraj and his two sons Gandhi and Shastry in Arcot, Tamil Nadu.