Phone number of BJP MP Tejasvi Surya used to demand money, diamonds; complaint filed

Bhanu Prakash also alleged that the miscreants not only made phone calls to the party leader in Gujarat but also managed to obtain money in a similar fashion from a party leader in Rajasthan.

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The complaint    

In the complaint, Bhanu Prakash alleged that the official phone number of Tejasvi Suryva was used to make phone calls to demand money and diamonds from a party leader.

Since Surya has a busy schedule and many calls come on the phone, “I have been officially assigned to manage calls received on the MP’s official phone number”, he said in the complaint.

He added: “An unknown person made a phone call to Gujarat’s BJP Yuva Morcha state president Prashanth Korat and demanded money and diamonds on 1 July, 2023.”

He continued: “Prashanth informed us about the incident. But I did not make any such phone call. An unknown person has stolen my phone number and impersonated me and made phone calls. This has been done intentionally and appropriate action has to be taken against the culprit.”

Cops have registered a case under Sections 66 (C) (identity theft) and 66(d) (cheating by personation by using computer resources) of the Information Technology Act, and Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 419 (cheating by personation).

Bhanu Prakash told South First: “The unknown miscreants made calls to not only Gujarat but also other states. In the first incident, someone made a normal phone call to Gujarat BJYM president Prashanth and demanded ₹5 lakh and diamonds.”

He added: “He got suspicious and brought it to our notice. I have filed a complaint regarding this. In another such incident, the Udaipur BJP general secretary in Rajasthan also received similar phone calls.”

Bhanu Prakash noted: “The Gujarat leader believed it was a genuine call from the office of the Bengaluru South MP, and paid ₹5 lakh to an unknown person. He filed a complaint with Udaipur police on Thursday. We are also receiving reports from the party leaders claiming that they have received similar calls.”

On why Surya himself had not filed a complaint, he said: “I have filed the complaint because I use this MP’s official phone number. The MP will also file a separate complaint on the matter either on Thursday or Friday.”

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Gujarat leader confirms calls

Gujarat BJYM president Prashanth Korat admitted that he received what he thought were phone calls from Surya’s official phone number requesting money, but not diamonds.

Giving details about the conversation, Korat told South First: “An unknown person, who called from MP Surya’s phone number, requested a parcel from Surat. He said he would credit ₹5 lakh either to my account or that of the person that went to collect the parcel.”

He added: “He also requested an additional ₹2 lakh and assured that the money would be returned once the parcel was collected. He gave me another number, which belongs to Delhi, and asked me to make only WhatsApp calls [to it]. When I tried to call it, the number was switched off.”

Korat continued: “I became suspicious and immediately informed the Bengaluru South MP about this phone conversation. I have not filed any complaint as Surya said he would file a case in Karnataka.”

Asked whether the caller demanded diamonds, Korat said: “The caller did not demand any diamonds from me. He was saying that somebody would collect diamonds and parcels from Surat.”

It may be noted that in the complaint, Bhanu Prakash alleged that unknown miscreants demanded money and diamonds from Korat.

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Cops launch investigation

Acting on the complaint, the cops attached to the South CEN Police Station have launched a probe, but no arrest has been made so far.

Bengaluru South Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) P Krishnakanth told South First: “Based on the complaint, an FIR has been filed. There are chances of making internet-based phone calls using someone’s number.”

He added: “We are investigating what type of calls were made using this phone number. We will probe the case in all the possible angles.”

On condition of anonymity, an officer of the rank Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) told South First: “There are many paid apps to impersonate someone’s phone number to make calls. It is a serious offence. However, the caller’s tower location can be identified.”