IMA scam: SIT arrests moulvi for encouraging people to invest in ponzi scheme

In the latest arrest in the IMA ponzi scheme case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the multi-crore scandal has arrested one moulvi Asfar Azeezi, of a Shivajinagar mosque, for encouraging people to invest with the tainted company.

“The accused had encouraged thousands of men and women to invest in IMA. During prayer meetings, he had defined investing in IMA as a religious responsibility and each Muslim should stand by Khan (Mansoor) and make him one of the biggest business tycoons of Bengaluru,” SIT sources told The Times of India.

The SIT in a release said IMA founder Mohammed Mansoor Khan gifted the moulvi a house worth Rs 3 crore in HBR Layout for the same.

This arrest comes a couple of days after the police arrested Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Vijay Shankar (IAS) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 crore.  

Earlier, the police arrested Assistant Commissioner of the Revenue Department LC Nagaraj, BDA Executive Engineer Kumar, city corporator Syed Mujahid and village accountant Manjunath, for allegedly accepting bribes to the tune of crores from the tainted IMA founder Mansoor Khan.

Those arrested include the 12 board directors of the company, while Mansoor Kumar continues to evade arrest and is allegedly hiding in the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Karnataka High Court ordered issue of notices to the state and central governments, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Serious Fraud Investigation Organisation (SFIO) and the SIT probing the case, on a petition filed by Vijay Shankar.

Vijay Shankar has sought a probe by CBI and other central agencies in the case following his arrest.

On the other hand, Advocate-General Udaya Holla said there was no need for such an investigation as the offences in the case were carried out within the territory of Karnataka. He also appealed that the case be clubbed with the other IMA case heard by the Division Bench of the HC.