The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : State files affidavit on cheating charge against NRI

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Thursday, Mar 20, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

State files affidavit on cheating charge against NRI

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The State Government has filed affidavits before the Karnataka High Court detailing the manner in which Joseph Chacko allegedly cheated scores of non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Bahrain and United Arab Emirates (UAE) of crores of rupees.

In its affidavits, the State said Chacko had published advertisements in Gulf News claiming to be the proprietor of Crown Plaza International Hotel and Resorts.

The resort was supposed to come up at Hannur in the erstwhile Byatarayanapura city municipal council limits.

Chacko, the State alleged, had lured NRIs to invest in the project by claiming that they would be entitled for a seven-day stay in a year in the hotel room of the resort. Besides, they would get 55 per cent of the earnings from letting out their room, while the resort would keep 45 per cent.

Of the 100 NRIs who had invested, 76 managed to obtain sale deeds. When some NRIs realised that they had been cheated, they approached the Chief Minister who in turn asked the Central Crime Branch (CCB) to look into the issue.

The State said the CCB took up investigation and found that Chacko had cheated scores of NRIs. It said Chacko was now absconding and was not available for investigation. Therefore, the CCB was unable to complete the investigation or file a chargesheet.

The affidavit said the police had asked the State for permission to send some officers to the Gulf to further investigate the case.

In another affidavit, the State claimed that Chacko had duped people of money by claiming to build an exclusive Elysium township at Byrati village, Bidarahalli, Hoskote. It said Chacko had purchased 20 acres at Hennur and demolished compound walls and claimed that it would house the township. Chacko had floated the idea of another township-Athena.

The affidavits were filed before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice Ravi Malimath. The Bench had asked the State to file a detailed report on the cases registered against Chacko and the latest investigation report.

The Bench adjourned further hearing on the case.

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