Narayan Swamy
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Apr 17: 26-year-old Rakesh Gowda, who claimed to be the son of R Ashok, home minister of Karnataka, was almost successful in fooling the police, until he got arrested while watching IPL match between Rajastan Royals and Royal Challengers here on Sunday April 15.

Rakesh and Satish

Rakesh Gowda contacted Cubbon Park police station, claiming to be the son of the home minister and saying that he needed a VVIP pass to watch the match along with his friend and another boy who is a minor. Believing Rakesh by the way he talked, the police immediately arranged entry pass worth about Rs 55,000 and all three were escorted by the police till they were inside the stadium.

But Rakesh did one mistake that proved too costly for his own good. While talking to the police personnel Rakesh raised his voice at him, and abused him when told that last moment it would be difficult to arrange VVIP passes. But later the police did arrange P-2 gate passes.

However, smelling something fishy, the Cubbon Park police official contacted the personal assistant of R Ashok, and enquired about his son. The police learnt from the PA that R Ashok has no son by the name of Rakesh!

The trio watching the 'Royals' match were 'royally' rounded up by the police and arrested. After thorough enquiry, it was found that the cricket-crazy Rakesh who hails from a poor background had no money to watch the match. His father is a flower-seller in market. He borrowed good clothes from his friends, and acted as the minister's son to get entry into the stadium!

Rakesh almost had the police clean bowled, but unfortunately for him it turned out to be a no ball!