Saudi telecom fraud: Another Mangaluru expat walks free, reaches home

[email protected] (CD Network)
May 11, 2016

Mangaluru, May 11: Nasir Bundar, who spent nearly 13 years in prison in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after being trapped in an illegal call routing (Hundi) case along with seven others, has finally reached his hometown Mangaluru.

nasirAfter paying negotiated fine amount to Saudi Telecom Company, judge Saad Al Garni who is chairing the probe into the case, had recently ordered the release of three of the four prisoners - Riyaz Bajpe, Fairoz Ullal and Nasir Bunder.

While two among them were deported to India on May 7, Nasir was deported a day later. He reached Delhi on the same day. The next day he reached Bengaluru through another flight. On Tuesday at 5 a.m. he landed at Mangaluru International Airport, where his family members received him.

Nasir's father AK Mohammed on the occasion recalled that he had been to Delhi four times in the past to meet consecutive external affairs ministers and request them to intervene in the matter and urge the Saudi authorities to take steps to the release of his son.

13 year old case

Saudi Telecom Company had filed a complaint in March 2003 against eight expatriate workers, all of them from Mangaluru and surrounding areas, accusing them of passing and routing of illegal telephone calls. After enquiry, a Saudi court had sentenced them to eight years of imprisonment. The accused were also asked to pay a fine of 6.7 million Saudi Riyals to the company.

However, even after serving more than a decade in jail, most of them could not walk free from Jeddah jail as they were not able to pay the fine.

According to their family members these unfortunate expats were made scapegoats for others' wrongdoings while they were unable to communicate in Arabic or English language. Apparently they were quite new to the Kingdom and they were exploited and trapped by miscreants.

A few philanthropic NRI businessmen in Saudi Arabia had paid a huge amount of money as fine through Indian consulate for the cause the release of these prisoners. NRI organisations had also had taken up the issue with Indian Consulate in Jeddah several times.

With the release of Nasir, only one among the eight arrested in the telecom fraud case continued to be in Saudi jail. Identified as Shareef Kannur, he is also expected to be released soon.

Also Read : Telecom fraud: 3 more Mangaluru expats freed from Saudi prison after 13 years

Comments

sadaqath
 - 
Thursday, 12 May 2016

Shame on u ppl, rather than being happy for the release of one of our brothers u r blaming each other and some organisation...because of this attitude ur community never unite....specially mangalorean mentality is so cheap never understand anything n don't want to improve as well....shame on u negative thinkers... always remember think good...be good....do good....

Kush
 - 
Thursday, 12 May 2016

I know Nasir personally when he was growing up in Bunder, Jumma Masjid road. He is a victim of social pressure we beary community put on our young men. Only measure we use is financial accomplishment of men and not how they get there. Young men are subjected to keeping up with jones syndrome where money is required to get there. Dowry system (Unislamic) and lavish wedding expenses primarily drive this. Beary's are moving away from Islam and clinging on the material life. The religious leaders don't speak up against this as they are gaining from this materially.
I wish Nasir all the best and may Allah provide him endurance to deal with the stigma.

fahim Akthar
 - 
Thursday, 12 May 2016

@ shaukath, what was happening people don know the fact dey speak wrongly, we have worked on it so they know the truth, u can inquire about me, am working in jubail k, give me ur full contact details and i will tell u who is liars.....

Shaukat
 - 
Thursday, 12 May 2016

Some PFI and IFF supporters always start their comment with a lie: \i am not a PFI or IFF supporter.\" Lairs are never trustworthy."

Fahim Akthar
 - 
Thursday, 12 May 2016

Am not a member or supporters of IFF , I want to tell the fact wat actually happened, 13 years dey were in jail first 7 years all were scared to contact dem nor legally contacted for the release , since last 5 years IFF followed the case and legally hired a lawyer to fight the matter in court , as it was huge amount IFF requested Althaf ullal to join hands to collect funds and he took responsible to arrange funds as required, but it was not so easy to convince business men in this matter and finally approached and funds were almost done and IFF contributed Good amount also, by giving money matter is not solved, IFF done great work for further formalities to release of this three guys, U can ask donors if wat said is not true .....

PFI hater Muslim
 - 
Thursday, 12 May 2016

As per my knowledge, IFF did not spend a single penny in this cause. many NRI businessmen in Saudi Arabia paid a huge amount of money. CD boss also paid money for their release. but CD report did not mention that in the report. Only IFF wants publicity. Now it is obvious that u want name and not reward. dont worry. Allah will fulfill your niyyah!

Hussain
 - 
Thursday, 12 May 2016

Dear All,

why CD has to support IFF, My humble request to CD is not to support these kind of organizations, you will regret at the end if you support these Jahils, you people first learn the basic of the Deen, your keeping muslim youth from learning basic of their deen and busying them in other activities which are no use in this world and in hereafter.

Sameer Kandak
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Alhamdulilh !! Masha Allah!May Allah give Hafiya & Hidaya to brother Althaf Ullal & Suhail Kandak & all other subordinates

Anameeka 2 Jubail
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Dear all please don't request to CD to Mention IFF name, All know who is behind this case, Insha allah, Allah will give all rewards for those who work behind this case
CD is always against IFF all know this.they only publish 1 minister's update even if he dance !!!!!!!!!!!
also CD will not Digest IFF name !!

Irfan
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Alhamdulillah, Welcome back home Nasser.....

Kaizer
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Everyone knows who is behind this noble yet coastal digest has failed to publish the name of it. Don't know the reason but one thing is don't be biased on publishing news.

shd
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Why these type of reports ! CD should mention IFF for their great Effort !

Thansif BM
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Dear Respected Readers and Wellwishers indeed its a good thing that those guys are out of Jail and reached their home safely alhamdulillah. Let me clarify you one thing that, The Guy who took this initiative before 8 years in jeddah to release these people is Mr. Suhail Kandak, who is In Mangalore now days. Even he worked very honestly behalf of those guys. So lets not forget his contribution too in this case. As well as donors who supported. Thanks

sajid
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Great news masha ALLAH ...

how come this Article miss the name of India Fraternity Forum ..they are the one behind this case from last 6 years, really a great dedication & efforts, finally they archived with the help of kind hearted business peoples, Hats off to IFF effort & contributed business icons.

abuhalifa
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

#6@ shamusuddeen,we can unreasteand your mind ,clean your heart and say alhamdulillah..

shamshuddin Mulki
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

How IFF are ready to help tainted people, even I was asking them earlier to help some tainted people they refused and they said that we are not helping hand to tainted people, something is fishy in this matter.

IBRAHIM
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Masha Allah great News. BOTH OF THEM IFF AND BUSINESS CAN DO ANYTHING , THIS IS THE RESULT. MAY ALLAH BLESS WITH HIS MERCY BOTH OF THEM IN FUTURE CASE IF ANY.

Asi
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Good work by IFF and Donors who helped these guys to come out of the jail. May Allah bless you all. Keep go on doing such good social work we will be there with you.

Shahul
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Good news. May allah bless the NRI businessmen for their noble work. Really it will inspire others.

Anamaika
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

I request with coastal Digest please mention IFF name because i heard that IFF is behind of them for walk free from jail

Aslam Sheikh
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

May Allah bless the NRI businessmen, who helped these poor guys to come out from the prison. It is the real Ibada /prayer, which takes us to Jannah!! Definitely they will get the reward for such good deed!!

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Media Release
May 2,2020

Mangalore, May 2: More than 500 families received ration kits in a distribution drive conducted by St Agnes College in outskirts of Mangaluru on Wednesday.

Since the lockdown was announced, the management, staff and alumni of St Agnes College are playing an active role in ensuring no one is deprived of food and essentials during these challenging pandemic times.

The College as part of its Agnes towards Community (ATC) programme had adopted villages such as Munnur, Harekala, Amlamogaru, Someshwara and Pavur. Various development drives are conducted in these villages by the staff and students. However, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the activities undertaken in these villages were kept on hold.

The College recently received information from its network that several families in these villages are struggling for food and essentials.

The College management in association with its alumni and well-wishers took-up the initiative to distribute ration kits consisting of rice, dal, spices, tea powder, hygiene products and other essentials to 500 needy families belonging to these villages.

The drive was held in presence of Zilla Panchayat member Dhanalakshmi Gatty and other Gram Panchayat members.

"We were able to provide food to 600 and more families in different villages and to the stranded migrant workers in the city during this time of crisis because of the generous contributions of our staff, alumni and well wishes" says Sr Dr. M. Jeswina A.C.

The College management expresses its gratitude to all donors, especially the staff, alumni and those associated with the college.

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News Network
March 4,2020

Bengaluru, Mar 4: The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to the state government in connection with the denial of retirement benefits to a retired deputy commissioner of commercial taxes who had fought against the illegal iron ore lobby.

Justice G Narendra also directed the state to respond to the notice before March 9, stating the reasons for withholding the officer’s retirement benefits.

Advocate Ramananda, appearing for the retired officer Josephat Andrews, explained that the single-judge bench also warned the government of stringent action.

Petitioner Josephat Andrews said his retirement benefits amounting to Rs 25.88 lakh were being withheld since 2014.

In 2009, Andrews detected a huge scam involving Vijaya Leasing, a company associated with former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy. Immediately he wrote to his higher officials explaining to them how the department was owed Rs 1,400 crore in taxes by the company. Immediately after that, Andrews was transferred to Bengaluru.

The media exposed the scam in 2012. Thereafter, to harass the officer, Andrews was served notice for allegedly not conducting an inspection of M/s Vijaya Leasing, which was controlled by the family of then tourism minister Gali Janardhana Reddy, on July 11, 2012.  He was discharged by a full departmental enquiry.

The petitioner was issued a second show cause notice on Jan 29, 2014 on the same charges. Before his retirement, he was docked two increments, denied promotional benefits and his pension was reduced without following due process.

He was served yet another notice with charges that he did not inspect goods vehicles, and an order was passed on April 30, 2019 reducing his pension by 5 per cent, an unprecedented punitive action.

This order was quashed by the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT), which also ordered payment of retirement benefits to Andrews within five months. However, the benefits were not released to him.  

“Rule 214 of the Karnataka Civil Services Rules (KCSR) make it clear that no enquiry can be held four years after an officer’s retirement.  Belying all statutory rules and precedents of the Supreme Court, Josephat Andrews’ retirement benefits were withheld for five years. Andrews therefore approached the High Court,” advocate Ramananda explained.

Josephat Andrews recalled to Deccan Chronicle that although mining activity was in full swing in 2008, the commercial tax department maintained that it had nothing to do with mining. “I travelled to Gujarat, Maharashtra and Bellary to investigate. I found tax evasion of thousands of crores. When I visited M/s the Vijaya Leasing facility – it was operating from an old oil mill premises–within 20 minutes I got calls from Ali, a person claiming to be the personal assistant of Gali Janardhan Reddy. He told me to get out of the premises as it belonged to his boss. Then calls came from minister Sreeramulu and MLA Nagendra. 

Within minutes 200-300 rowdies gathered around the building and my superior asked me to come back. Instead of filing a police complaint and forming a special team to deal with the situation, the department transferred me to Bengaluru,” he explained.

Talking about the High Court directive, Josephat Andrews said, “I have suffered a lot. Instead of getting a reward for increasing revenues by Rs 2,000 crore, I was punished.”

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News Network
July 31,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 31: Gyms in Bengaluru carried out sanitation work on Thursday following the Centre's nod to reopen gyms from August 5, after several weeks of COVID-induced lockdowns.

"We are taking all the precautionary measures prescribed by the government and will follow the guidelines very strictly. A thermal scanner, oximeter and hand sanitizers have been placed at the entrance of the gym. 

We request all other gym owners also to follow the guidelines strictly to keep their members safe and healthy," said Prasad Kumar, a gym owner in Bangalore.

He added, "The last few months have been very difficult for us gym owners and fitness instructors. We are very grateful to the government for allowing us to re-open. 

We are going to be very cautious when we open. Even before this COVID-19 pandemic, we used to sanitise all the equipment before and after every use so hopefully, this won't be too difficult for us. We are getting rid of the air conditioners to allow cross ventilation and open the space a little more."

According to Chandu Gowda, an actor and frequenter of the gym, working out at home was not the same as working out in the gym with the proper equipment.

"I'm very glad that I get to come back and work out as I used to before this lockdown. For an actor, working out is extremely important, not just for my physical health but also mental health. 

Doing exercises at home is never as good as exercising in a space dedicated to one purpose. I hope other members of the gym follow the rules and regulations religiously," Gowda said.

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