Karnataka MLA Nabbed in Massive Betting Scandal

Karnataka Congress MLA K C Veerendra, known as 'Puppy,' was arrested in Gangtok, Sikkim, on Saturday, August 23, following a high-stakes Enforcement Directorate (ED) operation exposing a sprawling illegal betting network. The 50-year-old legislator from Chitradurga, allegedly at the helm of multiple online betting platforms, faces charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, after a two-day nationwide raid targeting 31 locations across Sikkim, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Goa.

The ED’s Bengaluru zonal office uncovered a staggering Rs 12 crore in cash, including Rs 1 crore in foreign currency (USD, GBP, Dirhams, and Euros), gold jewelry worth Rs 6 crore, and 10 kg of silver. Three luxury vehicles, all bearing the VIP registration number 0003, were seized, alongside international casino membership cards from prestigious venues like MGM, Bellagio, and Marina, and luxury hotel memberships with Taj, Hyatt, and The Leela. The raids also targeted five prominent Goa casinos—Puppy’s Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino, Puppy’s Casino Pride, Ocean 7 Casino, and Big Daddy Casino—linked to Veerendra’s operations.

Investigators allege Veerendra ran illegal betting websites such as King567, Raja567, Puppy’s003, and Rathna Gaming, while his brother, K C Thippeswamy, operated three Dubai-based firms—Diamond Softech, TRS Technologies, and Prime9 Technologies—handling call center and gaming operations. Incriminating evidence pointed to “complex layering” of funds, with property documents seized from Veerendra’s brother K C Nagaraj and nephew Pruthvi N Raj. The ED froze 17 bank accounts and two lockers during the operation.

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The probe revealed Veerendra’s attempt to lease a land-based casino in Gangtok, where he was apprehended. A Gangtok magistrate granted transit remand, and he is set to face a Bengaluru court. The case, exposing international casino links and sophisticated money laundering, has sparked public outrage, with social media posts highlighting Veerendra’s lavish lifestyle, including claims of an extensive car collection with 003 plates. The investigation continues as authorities unravel the full extent of this multi-crore betting racket.

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