Manipal fraud investigation plagued by several roadblocks: cops

Udupi: The police claim they are facing several roadblocks during the investigation of the Manipal fraud case as Vishal Somanna remains free.

Somanna is the third accused in the case, based in Dubai employed as a pilot in Qatar Airways. UAE government has not yet responded to a letter sent to it seeking Somanna’s custody, informs DCP (central) D Devaraj.

The police department has informed Qatar airways about Somanna’s fraud, yet he remains employed in the company. “We got a response from the airline that they have informed Somanna about the case and asked him to appear before the police. They have not removed him from service,” says the DCP and adds that a lookout notice seeking his arrest has been issued to all airports.

Manipal group former finance head Sandeep Gururaj and his wife Charusmita along with Somanna’s sister Amrita Chengappa and mother Meera Chengappa were arrested on December 27, 2018 for siphoning Rs 62 crore from the Manipal Group accounts.

Apparently, Sandeep had transferred Rs 52 crore to Somanna’s various accounts and Meera, being a joint holder of the accounts had rerouted the money back into the personal account of Sandeep, said B Iyanna Redd, Cubbon Park police inspector.

Several banks are not cooperating with the police and have denied freezing the accounts, adds Reddy.

Investigation has revealed that Somanna purchased 12 acre land in Madikeri from the siphoned money.

An anticipatory bail was filed by Somanna claiming that he will cooperate with investigations if granted bail. But the bail plea was rejected. Amrita and Meera’s bail pleas were also rejected.