Bengaluru: The plot behind the alleged Rs 152 crore unaccounted income of a group of two state government officers and their contractor ‘friends’ as was estimated by the Income Tax officials seems to get murkier after one Hardik Gowda, a contractor ‘friend’ of Thrijesh – the son of the since suspended officer S.C. Jayachandra, reportedly told the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that the Lamborghini and Ducati, which were found in possession of Thrijesh were indeed his, said an official source.
It is learnt that the ED, Bengaluru summoned Gowda and quizzed him after his name reportedly came up during the custodial interrogation of Jayachandra, who was arrested two days ago under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and was remanded under their custody till December 9.
Gowda reportedly told the ED that he owned a fleet of 20 cars of which the Lamborghini and Ducati were a part. “He said he used to lend high-end cars and bikes to Thrijesh,” said an official source.
Jayachandra has allegedly admitted to the ED about his multiple bank accounts in the city. “The ED will investigate and track the trail of the ill-gotten money in his possession. All disclosures are subject to investigation,” the officer said.
The Directorate of Income Tax, Karnataka and Goa last weekend raided the premises of Jayachandra, chief planning officer of State Highway Development Project of Public Works Department, T. N. Chikkarayappa, managing director of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd, and two contractors Ramalingam and Sibi Chakravarthy and seized around '6 crore unaccounted money.
