Gangtok: Karnataka Congress MLA KC Veerendra, popularly known as Veerendra Puppy, was arrested on Saturday by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a massive illegal betting racket spanning online and offline networks.
The arrest took place in Gangtok, Sikkim, where Veerendra had reportedly travelled with associates to negotiate a land lease for a casino, according to media reports.
In a sweeping crackdown, the ED conducted raids across 30 locations in multiple states, seizing ₹12 crore in cash, gold worth ₹6 crore, 10 kg of silver, and four luxury vehicles. Officials also confiscated property-related documents from Veerendra’s brother KC Nagaraj and his son Pruthvi N. Raj.
Investigators further searched five casinos allegedly linked to the Congress legislator, who represents the Chitradurga assembly constituency.
Following his arrest, Veerendra was produced before a Gangtok judicial magistrate, where the ED is expected to seek his custody for further interrogation.
The case has triggered a political storm in Karnataka, putting the ruling Congress on the defensive as enforcement agencies tighten their probe into the high-stakes betting scandal.