<p>The con artist who posed as a BJP MLA and called up KSRTC bosses recommending transfers has been arrested.</p>.<p>Police arrested 28-year-old Puneeth Kumar of Agasanapura in Malavalli taluk, Mandya district on Saturday evening.</p>.<p>He worked as a casual labourer in mechanical department of KSRTC’s Mysuru depot.</p>.<p>Srinivas R Gowda, DCP (Central), confirmed the arrest by a team led by Wilson Garden inspector A Raju. Kumar is accused of impersonating L Nagendra, MLA of Chamaraja constituency in Mysuru, to recommend staff transfers.</p>.<p>While speaking to KSRTC employees, Kumar claimed to be “close” to KSRTC bosses and politicians.</p>.<p>He gathered information about staff seeking transfers and promised to get their work done for a fee.</p>.<p>To get the “work” done, Kumar would call up and message KSRTC bosses by introducing himself as Nagendra. “This proves politicians’ involvement in transfers in all departments,” a senior police officer said.</p>.<p>On October 28, Kumar called up managing director of KSRTC and recommended transfer of Balaraj, driver-cum-conductor, from Mandya depot to Malavalli depot.</p>.<p>The KSRTC’s Mandya divisional controller cross-checked with the MLA to ascertain if he had indeed made the call. The legislator is said to have denied making calls.</p>.<p>Shivaprakash H B, security and vigilance officer, KSRTC central office, filed a complaint at Wilson Garden police station.</p>.<p>Police registered an FIR under IPC sections related to cheating by impersonation, cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.</p>.<p>According to Shivaprakash, Kumar had also called KSRTC’s director (security and vigilance) and asked him to transfer at least four staffers. They were Manjunath Karadigudda, KSRTC constable, Davangere division; Shashi Kumar N, junior assistant, Puttur division; Gopala Gowda B C, conductor-cum-driver, central division, Bengaluru; Ashok M E, driver from Mangaluru division.</p>.<p>“We will present Puneeth before the magistrate and request his custody for investigation,” a senior police officer said.</p>.<p>Puneeth had bought a SIM to make only fraud calls. On Truecaller, he saved his name as Nagendra to make officials believe he was indeed the MLA.</p>
<p>The con artist who posed as a BJP MLA and called up KSRTC bosses recommending transfers has been arrested.</p>.<p>Police arrested 28-year-old Puneeth Kumar of Agasanapura in Malavalli taluk, Mandya district on Saturday evening.</p>.<p>He worked as a casual labourer in mechanical department of KSRTC’s Mysuru depot.</p>.<p>Srinivas R Gowda, DCP (Central), confirmed the arrest by a team led by Wilson Garden inspector A Raju. Kumar is accused of impersonating L Nagendra, MLA of Chamaraja constituency in Mysuru, to recommend staff transfers.</p>.<p>While speaking to KSRTC employees, Kumar claimed to be “close” to KSRTC bosses and politicians.</p>.<p>He gathered information about staff seeking transfers and promised to get their work done for a fee.</p>.<p>To get the “work” done, Kumar would call up and message KSRTC bosses by introducing himself as Nagendra. “This proves politicians’ involvement in transfers in all departments,” a senior police officer said.</p>.<p>On October 28, Kumar called up managing director of KSRTC and recommended transfer of Balaraj, driver-cum-conductor, from Mandya depot to Malavalli depot.</p>.<p>The KSRTC’s Mandya divisional controller cross-checked with the MLA to ascertain if he had indeed made the call. The legislator is said to have denied making calls.</p>.<p>Shivaprakash H B, security and vigilance officer, KSRTC central office, filed a complaint at Wilson Garden police station.</p>.<p>Police registered an FIR under IPC sections related to cheating by impersonation, cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.</p>.<p>According to Shivaprakash, Kumar had also called KSRTC’s director (security and vigilance) and asked him to transfer at least four staffers. They were Manjunath Karadigudda, KSRTC constable, Davangere division; Shashi Kumar N, junior assistant, Puttur division; Gopala Gowda B C, conductor-cum-driver, central division, Bengaluru; Ashok M E, driver from Mangaluru division.</p>.<p>“We will present Puneeth before the magistrate and request his custody for investigation,” a senior police officer said.</p>.<p>Puneeth had bought a SIM to make only fraud calls. On Truecaller, he saved his name as Nagendra to make officials believe he was indeed the MLA.</p>