Bengaluru, Aug 23: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bengaluru Zonal Office, has launched a massive crackdown on illegal betting and money laundering linked to Karnataka MLA K C Veerendra, conducting simultaneous searches on 22 and 23 August 2025 at 31 locations across India.
The raids spanned Gangtok, Chitradurga, Bengaluru, Hubli, Jodhpur, Mumbai, and Goa, covering five casinos — Puppy’s Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino, Puppy’s Casino Pride, Ocean 7 Casino, and Big Daddy Casino.
According to ED officials, the operation targeted illegal online and offline betting networks allegedly controlled by Veerendra and his associates. During the searches, the agency seized:
- ₹12 crore in cash, including ₹1 crore in foreign currency
- Gold jewellery worth ₹6 crore (approx.)
- 10 kg of silver articles
- Four luxury vehicles
- Property-related documents
- 17 bank accounts and 2 lockers, which were frozen
Veerendra’s alleged network also involved multiple companies and offshore entities operated by family members. Investigators said incriminating documents connected to illegal casino operations and online betting sites were recovered from several premises.
ED confirmed that K C Veerendra was arrested in Gangtok on August 23. He was produced before a Judicial Magistrate in Sikkim, and a transit remand was secured to bring him before a jurisdictional court in Bengaluru.
Officials said the case points to large-scale layering of funds, cross-border transactions, and shell business entities to conceal the proceeds of crime.
Further investigation is ongoing.