The Central Crime Branch (CCB) raided the houses and offices of seven habitual offenders in and around the city on Wednesday morning. Eight teams carried out the simultaneous raids to keep the operation under wraps for as long as possible. Documents, including property deeds, diaries, and loan agreements worth several crores, were seized.
“The raids were conducted to keep a check on their criminal activities, especially land grabbing and illegal money lending operations. The properties belonged to Sunil, Rohith, Vediyappa, Manjunatha, Bharath, Nagaraja and Jaya Kumar,” said the police.
The CCB recovered a licenced pistol along with six rounds of ammunition from the house of Nagaraja. Accompanying documents showed that he had purchased 25 rounds of ammunition. “Though the police found a valid licence, obtained in 2011, a probe is on to ascertain where the remaining 19 rounds were used,” said Alok Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime).
The police recovered an air gun from the house of Bharath who has been taken into custody.
According to Alok Kumar, a majority of rowdy-sheeters in the city have shifted operations from ‘conventional’ crime to the money lending business, and grabbing land through encroachments or force. “The frequent raids are meant to keep them in check,” he said.
