Karnataka Congress MLA KC Veerendra held in 'illegal' betting case; Rs 12 cr cash, gold worth Rs 6 cr recovered by ED

ED recovered Rs 12 crore in cash

The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday arrested Karnataka Congress MLA KC Veerendra 'Puppy' under the anti-money laundering law from Sikkim in an alleged illegal online and offline betting case.

The agency confirmed that Rs 12 crore in cash (including about Rs crore in foreign currency), gold jewellery worth Rs 6 crore, silver about 10 kgs and four vehicles were seized following raids carried out on Friday in multiple states.

However, the probe agency did not specify what was seized from which location.

"Further, 17 bank accounts and 2 bank lockers were also frozen. Further, many properties related documents were also seized from the premise of brother of K C Veerendra K C Nagaraj and his son Pruthvi N Raj. Several incriminating documents were also seized from several premises. His other associates namely brother K C Thippeswamy, and Pruthvi N Raj, are in handling operations of online gaming from Dubai," the press release by ED said.

"Further, it was revealed that K C Veerendra, along with his associates had travelled to Gangktok via Bagdogra on business visit to lease a land casino. Incriminating material seized during search proceedings indicate complex layering of cash and other funds. To further identify the Proceeds of Crime, Sh.K C Veerendra was arrested from Gangktok on 23.08.2025 and produced before Judicial Magistrate, Gangtok, Sikkim and transit remand was obtained for producing him before jurisdictional Court in Bangalore. Further investigation in the case is ongoing," the press release further said.

It further said that  the 50-year-old MLA from Chitradurga was produced before a designated magistrate in Sikkim's capital Gangtok on Friday and a transit remand was obtained for producing him before the jurisdictional court in Bengaluru.

The ED has arrested Karnataka Congress MLA KC Veerendra from Gangtok in a PMLA case, following raids at 31 locations across India linked to his illegal betting websites.The ED seized ₹12 cr (1 cr foreign currency) in cash, gold/silver worth ₹6 crore & multiple vehicles.

The Bengaluru zone of the ED is investigating the case.

The legislator had gone to Gangtok along with his associates on a business visit to lease a casino, the agency said.

Cash was recovered by ED

"Many property related documents were also seized from the premises of Veerendra's brother K C Nagaraj and his son Pruthvi N Raj.

Several raids were conducted in the case on Friday

"His other associates like another brother K C Thippeswamy are handling operations of online gaming from Dubai," the ED said.