Bengaluru: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday examined several witnesses in the alleged defrauding of over Rs 500-crore worth properties of late taxidermist Edwin van Ingen in Mysuru, including Muthappa Rai, - the reformed don cum social activist and founder of pro Kannada organization ‘Jai Karnataka.’ They were questioned over the alleged payment that was reportedly made through a bank cheque towards the sale of a portion of Ingen’s property to a well known realty firm as legitimate ‘commission.’
“The CID has examined some four to five witnesses including Muthappa Rai in the case,” said an official source on condition of anonymity.
He refused to divulge any further details. The Supreme Court has given a deadline to the CID to complete the investigation.
The apex court dismissed, on Aug. 1 the Karnataka HC order quashing an FIR in Ingen’s assets case and had asked the CID to probe the alleged police lapses in the registration of the FIR and investigation of the land fraud case and submit a report in 60 days.
The HC quashed the FIR, which was registered on the basis a criminal complaint filed by Ingen on March 2, 2013 against Michael Floyd Eshwar – a former horse trainer at Mysore Turf Club, who claimed to be Ingen’s adopted son and legal heir to his vast assets. Ingen’s niece Tilly Gifford filed a petition in the SC after the High Court had quashed the FIR.
Ingen passed away at the age of 101, a day after he had lodged a criminal complaint in Nazarabad police station. in Mysuru.
