In filmy, midnight operation, officials catch BJP activists distributing money among voters

A file photograph Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Yeshwanth Gurukar
| Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

In a cinema-style operation round midnight, Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Yeshwanth Gurukar pursued and caught BJP activists who had switched off the road lights at Sangamesh Colony and distributing money among voters, in Gulbarga South constituency on May 8.

As per the knowledge gathered from a number of sources, Mr. Gurukar, who can be the District Election Officer, was alerted about suspicious exercise. He rushed to the spot with out even informing the police division. He noticed just a few vehicles and a few individuals distributing money on the spot, which was darkish as the road lights had been switched off.

The officer went in the direction of the vehicles. As he approached, the individuals within the automobile stopped handing over the money, and instantly drove away. Mr. Gurukar pursued the automobile and caught up with the automobile at Vidyanagar, close to bus stand. However, the primary perpetrator managed to flee with a bag.

“Unfortunately, we could not nab the main person, who escaped with a bag containing money. However, we were successful in nabbing the driver and one more person. We are checking CCTV footage to identify the person who escaped with the bag. The car was driven at such high speed that it would have caused a major accident if it were to be day time,” Mr. Gurukar informed The Hindu.

Mr. Gurukar couldn’t establish the individual (who escaped) at midnight and added that the CCTV footage might assist the police to establish him.

Congress activists alleged that the one who escaped with the money bag was none apart from Dattatreya Patil Revoor (Appu Gowda), Chairman of Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board and MLA for Gulbarga South, who’s contesting the elections on a BJP ticket.