The arrest of 33-year-old “businesswoman” Aishwarya Gowda by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in April for allegedly duping several rich people in Bengaluru while claiming to be the sister of former Congress MP D K Suresh and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has made waves in the political circles in the state.
On Monday, Suresh appeared before the ED in connection with the case. “The agency (ED) summoned me as many victims (duped by Aishwarya Gowda) had taken my name. They asked me a few questions, which I answered. I am cooperating with the investigators, who have asked me to appear again on July 8,” he said.
The ED said that properties worth Rs 3.98 crore linked to Aishwarya have been attached. “The attached properties include immovable properties in the form of flats, constructed building and land valued to be Rs 2.01 crore and movable properties in the form of cash and vehicle worth Rs 1.97 crore,” the agency said in a statement.
What is the case against Aishwarya?
Aishwarya Gowda, a resident of Malavalli of Mandya district, has allegedly duped many people in her home district under the guise of a chit fund scheme before targeting victims in Bengaluru.
Sources said Aishwarya is married to Harish K N and claims to have connections with many top politicians of the state, including those from the ruling Congress as well as the Opposition BJP and JD(S). “People believed her as she invited politicians to her events,” a source said.
Her name first surfaced in the case after Vanitha Aithal, a jewellery store owner, lodged a complaint with the police alleging Gowda had duped her after promising high returns on gold worth Rs 8 crore.
After the police registered an FIR, two more doctors and a businessman came out to accuse Aishwarya of cheating them in a similar way. The complainants also alleged that she posed as the sibling of Suresh and Shivakumar to “get things done quickly”.
Aishwarya currently has four cases pending against her in Bengaluru. She has also been accused of accessing call record details of some of her victims by using her “contacts” in the police.
Why Cong is in a spot?
The Bengaluru City police, which initially probed the cheating case against Aishwarya, found a money laundering angle and took her into custody. During her questioning, the police found that she had allegedly gifted a luxury car to Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni.
The case was then taken over by the ED, which found that Kulkarni gave Aishwarya a loan of Rs 24 crore, which she failed to return. She later allegedly negotiated a deal for influencing a witness in a murder case in which the MLA is accused. The probe also found her to be involved in a Rs 60 crore transaction with Congress leader Thibbegowda.
Kulkarni has denied all allegations and claimed that Aishwarya was just an “acquaintance”.
Following her arrest on April 24 by the ED, the agency raided 14 locations linked to Kulkarni and seized Rs 2.25 crore in cash.
“During the said search operations, various incriminating documents related to money laundering activities through movable/immovable properties and digital devices have been found and seized. The accused has neither returned the money nor given the promised return and also threatened the investors of dire consequences in case of further pursuance of the matter by claiming her proximity to various high profile politicians,” the ED stated in a press release on April 26.
Aishwarya has currently been in the ED’s custody.
The ED on Tuesday reportedly said it has filed a charge sheet against 18 persons including Aishwarya. The prosecution complaint was filed on June 21 before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Bengaluru, the agency said.
What is the BJP’s stance?
Though the names of the DK brothers and a Congress MLA have cropped up in connection with the case, the BJP has not raked up the row vigorously.
A senior BJP leader said the issue is not likely to kick up a political storm as Aishwarya is known to have links cutting across party lines. “She has invited leaders of other parties to her events too and reportedly used the names of some BJP leaders to execute her con. The Opposition is not keen on raising the issue,” a senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity.
How is the case playing out?
The Congress, which has been witnessing a tussle between the camps led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, is yet to officially comment on the issue.
Congress sources said, “Since the DK brothers are allegedly involved in the case, the Siddaramaiah camp is upbeat and feels that it will help the CM cement his position further”.
Terming the ED raids as “politically motivated”, a Congress leader said that the party has adopted a wait and watch approach. “The BJP has used the agency as a weapon. Unless there is a proven link, parties do not react in such cases. The BJP, too, will not comment as there are photographs of Aishwarya Gowda with their leaders. It will also cause embarrassment to them. Also, there is nothing new in misusing leaders’ names,” a Congress leader said.
