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Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Mumbai to Mysuru: How a peddler's information led Maharashtra Police to bust ‘drug factory' in Karnataka
In one of the biggest drug hauls in Karnataka, the Mumbai police Sunday raided a garage in Mysuru to seize 187.97 kg of Mephedrone (MD) worth Rs 381 crore, and arrested four people. The probe has revealed that 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was being manufactured in the Karnataka city and supplied across the country. The Mumbai police informed that they came to know that MDMA was being manufactured in Mysuru while interrogating one Salim Imtiyaz Shaikh alias Salim Langda in the Maharashtra capital. They further said that the garage, which was located on the service road of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Mysuru, was raided with the help of the Mysuru police. However, a Mysuru police source said the fact that the Mumbai police came to know about the garage first has caused huge embarrassment to top police officers in Mysuru. 'The garage was taken on rent by an individual for Rs 20,000 per month. However, half of the portion was being used to manufacture MDMA… Though there are no documents, it is believed that the space was unofficially sublet for more than Rs five lakh,' the source added. Meanwhile, soon after the raid, Mysuru Police Commissioner Seema Latkar ordered the suspension of Narasimharaja police station Inspector Lakshmikant Talwar, pending a departmental inquiry. City Crime Branch (CCB) Inspector Shabbir Hussain was given the additional charge of Narasimharaja police station. But Talwar's suspension was revoked a day later. On Sunday night, Latkar and other senior police officers also conducted multiple raids at the houses of those who were previously involved in drug peddling in Mysuru. On Monday, Karnataka Opposition leader R Ashoka attacked the government over the drug haul episode. He questioned what the home department was doing when an illegal drug factory was being operated in Mysuru. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said he has given clear instructions to the police to initiate action. 'If jurisdictional police are not aware of such activities and some other agency or state police carry out raids and make arrests, it means there are lapses. I have asked the police to take drug-related issues seriously,' he added. Sources said the drug seizure by the Mumbai police has caused added embarrassment to the state government on account of Mysuru being the home district of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
4 Arrested, Cop Suspended As Multi-Crore Drug Manufacturing Facility Busted In Mysuru
Last Updated: Maharashtra police arrived in Mysuru after receiving a tip-off from an accused, suspecting the drug network was supplying to various states from Mysuru A major drug-manufacturing facility, reportedly producing MDMA (ecstasy) worth crores, was raided on the outskirts of Mysuru on Saturday, leading to the arrest of four individuals. The operation was led by the Maharashtra police in coordination with the Mysuru City police and the raid, conducted near the Ring Road in the Belavatta area, uncovered a significant quantity of the illicit substance. The arrested individuals have been taken to Mumbai, where an FIR had already been registered at the Sakinaka police station. Maharashtra police reportedly arrived in Mysuru after receiving a tip-off from an accused, suspecting the drug network was supplying to various states from Mysuru. They conducted the late-night operation with the assistance of Mysuru police. In swift disciplinary action following the raid, Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar ordered the suspension of Narasimharaja Police Station Inspector Lakshmikant Talwar, pending a departmental inquiry. The suspension comes amidst concerns over the failure to detect and prevent such a large-scale drug manufacturing operation within his jurisdiction. City Crime Branch (CCB) Inspector Shabbir Hussain has been given additional charge of the Narasimharaja Police Station. Karnataka home minister Dr G Parameshwara acknowledged the discovery of the MDMA drug-manufacturing unit in Mysuru. He stated that the Mumbai Police had received information after arresting an accused, which led them to Mysuru. 'Mumbai police came to Mysuru based on the information. They requested our police for assistance and made the arrests," said Parameshwara, expressing serious concern over the incident: 'This is indeed a worry." The minister assured that further action would be taken. 'Karnataka police will also investigate this matter. This has happened in our state," he emphasised. He added that the investigation would delve into where the drugs were being supplied from Mysuru and whether this was a new operation. While initial reports suggested the operation had been ongoing for about 20 days, Parameshwara indicated it might have been active even longer. 'Our police will also investigate this," he reiterated. view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 11:12 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Stock of banned e-cigarettes seized from flat in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: A team from the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the City Crime Branch seized a stockpile of banned electronic smoking devices worth Rs 70,000 from a flat near Fatehwadi Road during a raid on Saturday evening. According to the FIR filed with the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) police, the operation was based on specific information received during patrolling by an SOG unit. The police were tipped off about the illegal storage and sale of electronic cigarettes from a flat on the fourth floor of a housing society block near Sarkhej. Acting on the input, a police team reached the premises and conducted a search in accordance with legal procedure. Inside the flat, officials found 20 units of e-cigarette devices of various flavours and designs, placed on a glass table. Cash amounting to Rs 1,800 was also recovered. On questioning, the individuals present failed to produce any legal documents or permits for the possession or sale of these devices, which are prohibited under Indian law due to their nicotine content. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The recovered devices, valued at Rs 70,000, were sealed in transparent containers and officially documented in the presence of panch witnesses. The crime branch initiated further investigation under provisions concerning prohibited tobacco and nicotine products.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Narcotic drug manufacturing facility raided in Mysuru
Police raided a narcotic drug manufacturing facility on the city outskirts on Saturday. According to sources, a narcotic drug, MDMA aka ecstasy, was reportedly being manufactured at the facility in Belavatta in Narasimharaja police station limits. A large quantity of the drug was seized during the raid carried out by the Maharashtra police in coordination with the Mysuru City police. Four persons have been arrested in the case and have been taken to Mumbai, where an FIR had already been registered at the Sakinaka police station. The Maharashtra police arrived in Mysuru after receiving a tip-off from an accused and raided the facility with the co-operation of Mysuru City Police. Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar has ordered the suspension of Inspector of Narasimharaja Police Station, Lakshmikant Talwar, pending a departmental inquiry. City Crime Branch (CCB) Inspector Shabbir Hussain has been given additional charge of Narasimharaja Police Station.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- The Hindu
How a cook's brutal murder led to death penalty of a Chennai toddy shop owner in 1940
Trigger warning: the following article has references to physical violence and torture. Reader discretion advised. On Irusappa Gramani Street at Triplicane in Chennai lived Shanmugasundara Gramani, a man who gained notoriety in the area after he allegedly threatened picketers outside his toddy shop with a gun during a protest in 1938. His presence alone was enough to instil fear among locals, as he was infamous for violence both in public and private and was a 'known delinquent' (KD). However, it was for the brutal murder of a cook at his residence that he was arrested and finally executed in 1940. On May 7, 1939, The Hindu reported that an inquest was held at the General Hospital mortuary on the body of a woman exhumed from the Barbers' Bridge burial ground. The inquest began around 3 p.m. and continued until midnight. According to the report, the body was identified by some domestic workers employed at the residence of Shanmugasundara as that of Narasammal, a co-worker who had gone missing in early April that year. Medical evidence presented during the inquest revealed broken shoulder blades, a skull fracture, and a broken neck bones. Shanmugasundara and his wife Saradambal were then taken into the custody of the City Crime Branch. Ill-treatment of workers Shanmugasundara's household employed several domestic workers, who referred to him as both appa (father) and thambi (younger brother). He was reportedly known to forcibly tattoo his domestic workers, a practice rooted in caste-based domination. The working conditions were harsh; the workers often left after short stints as he was known to beat them for even minor faults. Narasammal was employed as a cook at a salary of ₹10 per month. She was around 40 years old, and was assisted in the kitchen by another cook named Lakshmi. Narasammal had told the latter that she was from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, and that her husband, who was mentally ill, lived with his sister in Kilpauk. Eight days after beginning work, Narasammal attempted to quit, citing her inability to stay up late at night and wake up early in the morning. However, Shanmugasundara sent his men to search for her. Within a few hours, one of them brought her back. His wife Saradambal reportedly slapped Narasammal and scolded her, saying, 'Is this why you took ₹10 in advance, just to run away on the eighth day?' She then took back some of the moneyfrom Narasammal. Following this incident, Narasammal remained in service. The fateful night Shanmugasundara had a daily routine that included consuming overnight-soaked green gram paste and rice congee (kanji), followed by a hot water bath. On the day following the Aruvathimoovar festival in Mylapore, he found there was no rice kanji left in the house. Angered by this, he summoned Lakshmi and struck her three times with a cane, demanding to know why she had failed to prepare the kanji. She remained silent out of fear. He then called for Narasammal, who could not come immediately, as she was occupied with other tasks. When she was brought before him, he beat her with the cane. During the assault, he tripped her, causing her to fall hard onto the brick flooring. She began bleeding from the mouth. He then ordered her to wash the blood from her face and clothes. Narasammal complied, rinsing herself at a nearby tap, and then went to the backyard to change her clothes. After finishing his bath, Shanmugasundara instructed a worker named Durgan to bring him unsplit casuarina sticks. Narasammal's killing According to witness Lakshmi, she later heard the sound of a severe beating, 'like that of a bullock being beaten.' She also heard cries of 'ayyo'. These cries were coming from the backyard. Shanmugasundara later instructed Durgan to fetch a rope, one end of which he tied to Narasammal's hair and used it to torture her. He then ordered the domestic workers to drag her near a window, even as blood was seen oozing from her head. The following day, at around 10.30 a.m., Narasammal began pleading for water. However, nothing was given to her. When Lakshmi attempted to help her, Saradambal told her to mind her own business, claiming that Narasammal was faking her condition. Around 3 p.m. that day, one of the servants found Narasammal dead, her body covered with a gunny bag. Later that night, around midnight, the body was moved to the backyard, where it remained for four days. The workers attempted to hide traces of the incident by sprinkling ashes over the bloodstains at the spot where she had fallen. However, by the next day, a foul smell began to emanate from near the latrine in the backyard. The murder came to light two weeks later, when one of the workers visited the home of Shanmugasundara's father-in-law in Chintadripet. A visitor there noticed an injury on the worker's body and asked about it. It was then that the truth about what had occurred in Shanmugasundara's house began to emerge. The investigation and arrest Police arrested Shanmugasundara, his wife Saradambal, and Thangavelu, a peon at the Mylapore burial ground. The case was initially heard at the George Town Police Court, which later committed it to the Criminal Sessions of the Madras High Court. Shanmugasundara was charged with the murder of Narasammal on April 2, 1939. His wife Saradambal was charged with aiding in the disposal of the body by having it packed and removed to the burial ground. Thangavelu was charged with assisting in the illegal removal and burial of the body, with the help of cemetery workers. According to witness testimony, a corpse wrapped in a gunny bag and sent by Thangavelu, allegedly described as the body of a person affected by leprosy, was buried at night. Defence's argument The trial began on January 2, 1940, and concluded on February 7. Justice Mockett presided over the proceedings. Nugent Grant, counsel for Shanmugasundara, argued that the woman Narasammal never existed. During the trial, it emerged that the prime witness Lakshmi had initially told the police, prior to Shanmugasundara's arrest, that no one named Narasammal had worked in the house and that no murder had occurred. However, after the arrest of the accused, Lakshmi gave a second statement to the police in which she contradicted her earlier account and confirmed the presence and death of Narasammal in the household. While answering questions from the counsel, Lakshmi deposed that when the police first questioned her about Narasammal's murder, she denied her existence as she was afraid of being beaten by Shanmugasundara. At the end of the trial, Shanmugasundara was found guilty of murdering Narasammal, and was sentenced to death. The second accused Saradambal was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment for causing the disappearance of evidence related to the murder. The third accused Thangavelu received three years of rigorous imprisonment for the same offence. Following the verdict, Shanmugasundara submitted a clemency petition to the then Governor. Among the grounds he cited were that public opinion had been prejudiced against him due to the circulation of several pamphlets portraying him as an inhuman and cruel individual. He also claimed that a large family was financially dependent on him and appealed for the death sentence to be commuted. However, his petition was rejected, and he was hanged in July 1940.
