Bengaluru police promise protection to ponzi scheme fraudster

Bengaluru, June 24 (IANS) Multi-crore ponzi scheme fraudster and IMA Jewels fugitive founder Mohammed Mansoor Khan would be protected if he surrendered and submitted to law, a senior police officer said on Monday.

"We will give protection to Khan. He should have no doubt about it. Whether an accused or anybody who wants to surrender or submit to law will be protected," Deputy Inspector General (IGP) Bengaluru and Special Investigation Team (SIT) head B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda told reporters here.

Gowda's response came a day after Khan in a purported video tape on the official Youtube of the city-based jewellery-cum-investment firm offered to return to India if his life was protected from those plotting to kill him.

Declining to share more details about Khan who fled from Bengaluru on June 8, Gowda said as investigation was underway, he would not reveal more as it would hamper the inquiry which was at various stages with international ramifications.

"We know where he (Khan) is but cannot disclose his location for the sake of investigation, which is progressing well. We will share more information with the media as and when necessary in public interest," said Gowda.

In the 18-minute video uploaded on the social media Youtube on Sunday, Khan sought protection as he fears death threat to his life from all those who betrayed and ruined his 12-year business empire.

"As Khan is an accused in the ponzi scheme scam, we have to verify his claims and charges with facts, documents and evidence. Though he told many things, they have to be cross-checked with those whose names he took," said Gowda.

Accusing politicians, realty developers and an unnamed IAS officer for the downfall of his empire, Khan said in a mix of Urdu and English that he tried to return to India on June 14 but could not, as the airport security "off boarded" him from the plane.

"I was not allowed to fly back to India. I was told to meet the immigration officials, but could not as it was Jumma (Friday) and a government holiday. I made a mistake by leaving India. All were after my life. I had to hide my family in India for their safety and left in a hurry," says Khan, seeking help from Bengaluru police commissioner Alok Kumar for his return and safety of his life.

Khan, however, did not disclose in the video from which country airport and in which airlinea?s aircraft he was off-loaded and by whom.

As the SIT, set up to probe the scam, got Khan's passport suspended to prevent him fleeing from where he fled to, ostensibly, Dubai, the airport security directed him to get official clearance even to fly back to India.

"To secure Khan's custody, we got the Interpol to issue a blue corner notice on Saturday to locate, identify and obtain information on him as he was wanted here for criminal investigation,a said Gowda.

The SIT also invoked the Karnataka Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments Act 2004 on Sunday to ensure justice to about 35,000 investors by recovering their money.