Bangalore: Fake passport racket - CCB police detain TV presenter
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)
Bangalore, Mar 9: Bangalore city crime branch (CCB) police have detained a presenter of a Kannada TV channel for allegedly running a fake passport racket.
Popular presenter T R Shivaprasad's involvement came to light after his own channel's reporters conducted a sting operation on the issue of fake passports.
The channel reporters were said to be getting threat calls following the sting operation. Police investigation later revealed that Shivaprasad was involved in it. He was then taken for questioning, sources said.
A few months ago, reporter Shanker and another journalist on receiving authentic information, had conducted a sting operation on persons printing and selling fake passports for lacs of rupees. They recorded the racket on camera, but even before its telecast, they began receiving threat calls from unknown persons. They were reportedly warned that they would be made to pay if the issue went on air.
The reporters filed a complaint with the HAL police, who transferred it to the CCB. The threat calls were traced to Shivaprasad's mobile phone. Police say that Shivaprasad alerted others involved in the racket even before the sting operation could go be telecast.
The police have also taken another senior Kannada journalist into custody, sources said.
Police have declined from giving details as the case reportedly involves prominent people and is sensitive.