Former MLA and mining baron Anil Lad has lodged a complaint with the police alleging that a Bengaluru businessman and his associate, who were to hand over the ownership of a mining lease to him, cheated him of ₹15. 5 crore. Though the alleged fraud occurred between 2007 and 2008, he filed a complaint with the High Grounds police on Friday. He claimed that one of the accused, Shivakumar R., threatened him when he demanded return of the money.
In his complaint, Lad said that Shivakumar and his business partner Ranjitha, who live in Kumara Park, had approached him in 2007 with a business proposal stating that they had applied for a lease with the Department of Mines and Geology to undertaking mining operations in Ramgad, Sandur.
“The complainant claimed to have signed a memorandum of understanding with them for a partnership, but later, the accused offered to hand over the complete mining rights for ₹15.5 crore,” said the police.
However, even after one year the duo refused to hand over the required papers and began to dodge Lad. In October this year, Lad went to Shivakumar’s house, but he was not available. He alleged that when they met at a club later, the businessman threatened him.
The police have taken up a case against Shivakumar and Ranjitha, charging them under criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal intimidation. The case will be handed over to the CCB for further investigation, a senior police officer said.