Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Oct 22: An advocate was found trying to enter Vidhan Soudha premises with cash amounting to Rs 2.5 crore in the boot of his car on Friday October 21 afternoon. After finding during verification when the Volkswagen car approached west gate of Vidhan Soudha that the car was carrying unduly high amount of cash, police took the car, cash and the high court advocate driving the car, into possession.
The arrested man has been identified as Siddarth, resident of Judicial Layout in the city. A case about the incident stands registered in Cubbonpet police station here. Siddarth, a native of Dharwad, who serves as high court advocate here, arrived at the western gate of Vidhan Soudha, which happens to be the hub of power in the state, in a while colour car at around 2.15 pm. When the security staff proceeded to check the car as per their routine, they observed that the advocate was behaving strangely. Then they checked the entire car and found about Rs 2.5 crore in cash packed in three boxes placed in the boot of the car.
Siddarth initially said he had Rs 70 lac in cash but a detailed verification proved that he was lying, police said. The guilty advocate was then questioned in a secret location by Vidhan Soudha deputy commissioner of police, Yogesh, and then by central division deputy commissioner of police, Sandeep Patil, it is learnt.
Siddarth has agreed to comply with the demand of the police to provide documentary proof for carrying such a heavy cash, police said. But till late night on Friday, no such proof came about. Although Siddarth stated that the cash was meant for construction of a building, police said they would continue the investigation till the issue reaches its logical end.
Rumours also spread after this incident that the said cash belonged to a judge from Haveri. Another rumour claimed that the money was brought to make payment to a minister towards settlement of a land dispute. There were also claims that the amount was to be paid to a minister towards approval of a tender.