Govt doctor held in blackmailing case

After they finally trapped the duo involved in the crime, the police were surprised when the accused disclosed their identities - one was Dr Venkatesh (40), who is a taluk health officer in Anekal in Bangalore Rural district, and another Raghavendra (21), who was an unemployed BBM graduate.

The government doctor and the youth, who were neighbours in Varthur near Bangalore had demanded Rs 15 crore from chief minister’s personal assistant for "not releasing cassettes on the personal life of the Chief Minister" to the media and Opposition leaders.

Interestingly, they did not have even one CD with them but still attempted to make a quick buck. Even raids on the residences of the two did not yield any CD, they added.

A police officer investigating the case disclosed to Deccan Herald that prima facie there was no political motive behind the blackmailing incident.

"It appears to be a case of attempt to make quick money and lead a lavish life. We have sought details about Dr Venkatesh from the Health Department. We want to know whether he had any other cases pending against him."

Called from coin booths

The arrested had made first call to the cell phone of CM's personal assistant on June 25. They constantly shifted the places to avoid from being caught and have later made calls from coin booths in Hosur, Hubli, Dharwad, Anekal, Tumkur, Karwar and other places.

Police visited these places and collected the description of the callers from the owners of coin booths.

SP Murughan said that police officials were tracking the movements of the duo and they had asked CM's personal assistant Chandrashekhar to invite them to Bhadravathi to collect the amount.  

On the confusion over producing the arrested in the court, he said that initially cases were booked under section 506 of IPC against the arrested.

However, as the offence was related to extortion, additional case was booked under section 384.