Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jan 13: The police on the hot trail of Santro Ravi for the past 11 days, have finally managed to nab him from Gujarat.
Santro Ravi who had created a furore in Karnataka politics following his photographs with ruling BJP ministers and the chief minister Basavaraj Bommai's son that had gone viral on social media. Police sources had informed that Santro Ravi aka K S Manjunath had 14 serious criminal cases against him in Bengaluru and Mysuru, including that of kidnap and rape of a minor. The state police had formed teams and search was on for him in nine states.
He was also linked to the PSI Recruitment scandal, the sources had added. Santro Ravi is allegedly involved in prostitution and vehicle theft cases and was arrested under the Goonda Act. He was imprisoned for a year and after coming out, he continued with his criminal activities. Santro Ravi owns huge bungalows in Mysuru, Sheshadripuram, Tilaknagar and other localities of Bengaluru.
His wife had lodged a rape case against him and alleged that the accused had got her arrested in a false case. The police department had probed this allegation and found that the inspector had arrested the victim after coming under Ravi's influence.
My being in Ahmedabad coincidental: Home minister
Meanwhile, State home minister Araga Jnanendra has confirmed the arrest of Santro Ravi.
“The Mysuru, Ramnagar police had conducted operations in four to five teams and Santro Ravi was arrested because of their dedicated efforts from Gujarat state. He will be escorted to Bengaluru after completing all the legal procedures,” he said.
“The government was criticized alleging that it purposefully was taking time for the arrest because of pressure on it. But there was no pressure on the government. We had given complete freedom to the police asking them to arrest him and question him. He should be punished properly for his misdeeds. He is being produced in a court at Gujarat. Police sources have said that he will be escorted to Bengaluru subsequently," he added.
“Santro Ravi had escaped at the last minute in two or three places. Investigations will be held in all the angles. Nothing about it will remain hidden. The probe will be transparent. He will be punished for all of his crimes. We will expose any officer or politician involved with him through investigations. Those who are with him will also be arrested.
Ravi has been arrested as of now. I will not go to provide any more details. Police will be providing them," Araga said.
"My being in Ahmedabad yesterday was coincidental,” he clarified.