Bengaluru: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after an audio clip purportedly featuring Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan surfaced online. In the viral clip, a voice resembling the minister’s is allegedly heard asking a police official to “help” his relative involved in a cheating case in Chikkaballapura district.
The case, which is registered at the Peresandra Police Station, has drawn widespread attention due to the minister’s alleged involvement in what appears to be an attempt to influence a police inquiry. The authenticity of the audio is yet to be confirmed, but it has already triggered debate over political interference in ongoing investigations.
Cheating Case Involving Farmers and Traders
According to media reports, the cheating case was filed by a group of local farmers who accused three Hyderabad-based traders, Abdul Razak, Akbar Pasha, and Naseer Ahmed of defrauding them. The traders allegedly purchased maize crops from the farmers between February and July but failed to make full payments, leading to substantial financial losses.
An FIR was registered under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the provision dealing with cheating and related offences. One of the accused, Akbar Pasha, is said to be a relative of Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, according to the contents of the viral clip.
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What the Audio Clip Reveals?
In the leaked audio, a voice purported to be the minister’s can be heard talking to Peresandra PSI Jagadish Reddy. The voice reportedly says: “He did take the money, that’s true, but it’s not like how it’s being claimed. Please help him out a little, brother. He’s someone important to us. What can be done?”
The police officer is then heard responding that both sides had already been offered a chance to settle the dispute, but neither agreed.
“We’ve already given them a chance to settle. If both agree and clear the dues, we can close the case. It’s an ego issue. But neither side is agreeing,” the PSI is heard saying.
The alleged voice of the minister then presses further, urging,
“Please give them one more chance, a few days’ time.”
The conversation continues with the PSI assuring that a settlement could be considered if both sides cooperated, to which the minister reportedly replies,
“Yes, that’s true. The money needs to be given, but the amount isn’t as high as stated in the complaint. Give them a chance.”
The clip ends with the PSI saying,
“Let them come here and settle it; I will clear it,”
and the minister responding,
“Okay, okay.”
Authenticity Under Question
While the audio has sparked a storm online and in political circles, no official confirmation has been issued regarding its authenticity. The police and the minister’s office have not released statements on the matter at the time of reporting.
The incident has once again drawn attention to allegations of political influence in police proceedings and the challenges faced by local farmers seeking justice in financial disputes.
As the clip continues to circulate widely, calls for an independent verification and fair investigation into both the cheating case and the alleged interference are growing louder.