Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, April 26: In a major crackdown on a high-stakes money laundering racket, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized Rs 2.25 crore in unaccounted cash from the residence of 33-year-old Aishwarya Gowda, an alleged conwoman who reportedly posed as the sister of deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar and his brother, former MP D K Suresh.
According to an official statement released on Saturday, Gowda was arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. She was produced before the Special PMLA Court, which granted the ED custody for 14 days.
The ED’s Bengaluru zonal office carried out search operations on April 24 and 25 across 14 premises linked to Gowda and her associates, during which several incriminating documents and digital devices tied to money laundering activities were seized.
“In addition to vital evidence, proceeds of crime in the form of cash amounting to nearly Rs 2.25 crore were recovered and seized,” the ED stated.
The financial probe agency had initiated the investigation following multiple FIRs lodged at various police stations across Karnataka against Gowda, her husband Harish K.N., and others. The FIRs accuse the group of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and extortion involving cash, gold, and bank transfers, all under the pretext of offering high returns.
However, none of the promised returns were delivered, and victims were allegedly threatened when they demanded refunds. Gowda reportedly used her fake political links to intimidate investors.
ED officials said her interrogation is ongoing, and further investigation is under way.
Gowda is specifically accused of defrauding a Bengaluru-based jeweller of gold worth Rs 9.82 crore while claiming to be the sister of D K Suresh.
On Thursday, the ED also raided the premises of Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni and another Congress leader, Tibbegowda, whose wife is among the complainants in the case.
Former MP D K Suresh has publicly denied any connection between his family and Aishwarya Gowda.