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Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karnataka Lokayukta extortion case: WhatsApp messages from ex-cop's phone revealed links to IPS officer
The investigation into an alleged extortion racket operating in the Karnataka Lokayukta established a link between IPS officer Srinath Joshi and Ningappa Savant, a former police constable accused of threatening government officials with raids, from WhatsApp messages retrieved from the latter's phone. The alleged association between Savant and Joshi, who was a Superintendent of Police (SP) in the Karnataka Lokayukta until last week, emerged after WhatsApp messages from the former constable's phone were retrieved following his arrest on June 2, police sources said. 'Information about the involvement of other officers with the accused is being gathered by examining WhatsApp messages, call details, and WhatsApp call details,' the office of the Karnataka Lokayukta had said in an official statement on June 17. A single-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court granted bail to Savant on Thursday following a plea by his wife, G K Chandrakala. She alleged that the Lokayukta police did not follow arrest procedures mandated by the Supreme Court while arresting Savant. The high court ruled that Savant's arrest was unconstitutional and noted that 'the fact that the grounds of arrest were not intimated, furnished or communicated to the petitioner or her husband' was grounds for granting bail. 'I deem it just and appropriate to direct the respondent-Lokayuktha and the concerned jail authorities to release the petitioner's husband on interim bail for a period of four weeks…,' Justice S R Krishna Kumar of the Karnataka High Court ruled on Thursday. Earlier, the high court bench had stayed the Lokayukta police FIR against Savant on June 17. The bench on June 18 also stayed a summons issued by the Lokayukta police for questioning Joshi on his alleged association with Savant. The alleged extortion racket linked to the Karnataka Lokayukta emerged after a May 23 extortion bid on a regional transport officer (RTO) in Tumakuru. The official filed a complaint with the police, saying he had received a call from a caller claiming to be Vamsi Krishna, the SP of the Bengaluru City Lokayukta unit, who demanded money to prevent a raid on the RTO. The subsequent probe led to the arrest of Savant, who was identified as the person who allegedly called the RTO in the guise of a Lokayukta police officer. The Lokayukta police also seized Savant's mobile phone. The police retrieved data from the phone through the technical services of the state CID and found that the dismissed police constable was closely associated with SP Joshi through multiple messages and calls. Savant's WhatsApp messages allegedly revealed that he reported the collection of over ₹ 56 lakh from excise officials in the state to the officer. The Lokayukta police are now investigating the excise officials who are alleged to have made payments through Savant to evade action by the Lokayukta police. Savant is alleged to have extorted over ₹ 4.15 crore from dozens of government officials by claiming to be closely associated with police officers in the Karnataka Lokayukta police units. The Lokayukta police also established the alleged association between Savant and Joshi from information about the former police constable's visits to the Lokayukta office, where he frequently met Joshi. Sources said that the Lokayukta police had collected sufficient material through technical analysis to pursue the case further and would seek removal of the high court stay on investigations following an advancement of a hearing initially set for July 15.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Former constable ‘extorts' govt officials of ₹4.15-crore; charges rock Lokayukta
Karnataka's anti-corruption watchdog, the Lokayukta, has come under the spotlight after a dismissed constable allegedly impersonated senior officers to extort crores from government officials, including a tehsildar and BBMP engineer, and a serving IPS officer is now under scrutiny for his purported role in the racket, officers aware of the matter said on Thursday. The investigation, which began after a Tumakuru RTO received a suspicious call in May demanding a bribe to avoid a raid, has led to the arrest of 45-year-old Ningappa Savant, a former constable, they added. The authorities alleged that he operated a network of fake identities, siphoning off over ₹4.15 crore from officials across departments, including transport, excise, and the BBMP, they said. Savant, dismissed from service years ago for unauthorised absence, is said to have masqueraded as part of the Lokayukta police force, using photographs and names of real officials saved on WhatsApp to deceive his targets. According to the FIR, he contacted officials saying raids were imminent — unless they paid up, they added. One such call to Tumakuru RTO AV Prasad reportedly said that the call was from Vamsi Krishna, Lokayukta SP. The caller allegedly followed up with another message threatening a raid unless ₹1 lakh was transferred online, they said. Investigators later found that Savant had regular access to the Lokayukta's Bengaluru office and maintained ties with serving officers. His proximity to Joshi Srinath Mahadev, a 2012-batch promotee IPS officer and former SP of the Bengaluru City-1 division of Lokayukta police, has brought the latter under the scanner, police said. Savant allegedly told police that part of the cryptocurrency seized during his arrest from him belonged to Mahadev. 'He has admitted that he has invested the money he extorted in cryptocurrency in his own name and that of his relatives. His mobile was checked, and it was found that he had invested the money in about 13 crypto wallets. To trace the source of the money, the said wallets have been frozen and the investigation is continuing,' the Karnataka Lokayukta said in a statement. 'Mahadev was summoned, but has sought a later date for appearance by citing a function at his residence,' a police officer said on condition of anonymity. Mahadev, relieved of his duties on June 12, approached the sessions court for anticipatory bail, claiming apprehension of arrest. His petition came shortly after police searched his home and issued a notice under Section 35(a) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), asking him to appear for questioning on June 16, investigators said. In his filing, Mahadev argued he had no role in the crime and that Savant had served under him years ago in Chitradurga, but their association ended long before the extortion case. He said the allegations were a 'false implication' intended to harm his career. Mahadev also questioned the process, saying, 'Strangely, the reason was not disclosed.' He added that police 'did not affix a copy of the complaint or FIR, except insisting that he appear before them.' The Karnataka high court has temporarily stayed further proceedings against Mahadev, including the police notice. However, it clarified that the investigation against 35 other officials named by Savant would go on. 'The investigation is continuing into how much money was paid to the accused Savant and by which officials,' the Lokayukta said, adding that they were examining WhatsApp chats and call logs, and call records. Meanwhile, Savant's wife, Chandrakala GK, has filed a petition claiming her husband was detained illegally on May 31, two days before the FIR was registered. Her lawyer argued that 'grounds of arrest were not served' and noted CCTV footage from the Lokayukta office could support their case. However, Lokayukta's counsel K Prasanna Shetty countered that 'Ningappa's arrest had been intimated to Chandrakala, who was present at the time of arrest.' The case has also revealed that Savant used sophisticated methods to extract money, including creating WhatsApp groups with excise officials and sending them internal Lokayukta updates to suggest he had privileged access. A report by the Lokayukta noted, 'It is learnt that a person named Ningappa made calls and sent messages to senior officials of the excise department's Bangalore city divisions and some BBMP officials through WhatsApp, saying that there are complaints against them in the Lokayukta office. It is learnt that he is illegally collecting money by threatening.' 'The investigations into the case are in progress and the accused Ningappa @ Ningappa Savant has admitted that he has recovered money from various officials of the excise department for the last six months,' the Lokayukta's June 17 statement added. In December 2024, the Lokayukta's deputy registrar of inquiries filed a complaint after a tehsildar was threatened using the name of the Upalokayukta. Just this month, a BBMP engineer in Bengaluru reported being asked for a bribe over a call made using the name and photo of the Lokayukta himself. In several of these cases, the callers demanded money to suppress corruption allegations, and officials, fearing raids, paid up. The Lokayukta complaint noted, 'Fearing such calls, several government officials have delivered thousands and lakhs of rupees in cash/Phone Pay to callers posing as fake Lokayukta officials.' It added: 'After some officials inquired about this on their own or through their acquaintances at the Lokayukta office, information was obtained that the real officials were not the ones who threatened them, and some officials have filed complaints with the relevant police stations about the loss of money.' The Lokayukta had been reinstated in 2022 as Karnataka's primary anti-corruption body following a high court order disbanding the state-run anti-corruption bureau (ACB), which was seen as ineffective. Ironically, ACB was created in 2016 after the Lokayukta itself was embroiled in a similar scandal involving the then chief justice and his son.
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Balsam Brands Named Official Brand Licensing Partner for GE Holiday Lighting Starting 2026
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balsam Brands, parent company of Balsam Hill, a leader in premium artificial Christmas trees and holiday décor, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the distinction of serving as the official global brand licensing partner for GE holiday lighting, beginning with holiday 2026. This strategic partnership highlights Balsam Brands' continued commitment to providing high-quality, innovative products to its customers for the holiday season. 'We are excited to be a GE license partner – an established and trusted name in the lighting industry,' said Mac Harman, CEO of Balsam Brands Founded in 2006 by entrepreneur Mac Harman, Balsam Brands is a privately held U.S.-based global company and omni-channel retailer known for leading the way in designing highly realistic, true-to-nature pre-lit Christmas trees and seasonal décor. The company's driving mission is to help people create joy together, all year round. A New Era of Holiday Lighting The partnership between Balsam Brands and GE Lighting, a Savant company, will leverage each company's respective expertise to bring the acclaimed GE holiday lighting products to new generations of customers. From Thomas Edison's first incandescent bulb to today's smart lighting solutions, the GE portfolio of lighting products has always stood at the forefront of innovation. The partnership aims to enhance the holiday experience with advanced lighting solutions that combine GE's century-long history as a leader in the lighting industry and Balsam Brands' renowned craftsmanship and dedication to its customers. 'Balsam Brands shares our commitment to superior quality and lighting innovation and we're looking forward to partnering with them to continue the GE legacy in the holiday space,' said Bob Madonna, CEO of GE Lighting, a Savant company. 'We're already working together as fellow licensees to push the boundaries of creativity so we can bring a spectacular refreshed GE holiday portfolio to consumers in 2026.' 'We are excited to be a GE license partner – an established and trusted name in the lighting industry,' said Mac Harman, CEO of Balsam Brands. 'Growing up in Cleveland, where GE Lighting is headquartered, I've always known the brand as one of the city's most iconic industries. For me, this partnership feels like a full-circle moment. It allows Balsam Brands to broaden our holiday product range and offer even greater value and assortment to our customers. We're excited to deliver a world-class lighting experience that truly embodies the spirit of the season for years to come.' New and existing customers will see an expanded range of GE-branded holiday lighting products, but with Balsam Brands handling the design, production, and distribution. The brand plans to make available premium offerings to retailers, including but not limited to Lowe's, Michaels, Costco, and Amazon, with the potential to have exclusive product lines or early releases to select retailers. What This Means for Consumers Starting in holiday 2026, consumers will be able to purchase an expanded range of holiday lighting products under the GE brand, designed and distributed by Balsam Brands. This collaboration will provide customers with a variety of energy-efficient, durable, and beautifully crafted holiday lighting options that will enhance the way people celebrate the holidays. About Balsam Brands The flagship brand of US-headquartered Balsam Brands is Balsam Hill. Balsam Hill ( was founded in 2006, by Mac Harman, with the goal of creating the most realistic, highest-quality artificial Christmas trees for customers and businesses around the world. With a focus on quality and craftsmanship, our trees add the perfect finishing touch for families and communities to celebrate holiday joy together. After 18 years of growth, Balsam Hill's product offering has expanded to include ornaments, holiday greenery, and seasonal décor, with owned and operated websites in the US, UK, Australia, Germany, France, and Canada. About the GE brand With an unparalleled heritage of innovation and quality, the GE brand is among the most valuable, respected and trusted in the world. From Thomas Edison's first incandescent commercial light bulb to the latest jet engine brimming with internet-connected sensors and 3D-printed parts, for more than 130 years the GE brand has been associated with pioneering technologies across multiple industries that have spurred world-transforming changes and improved the lives of billions.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CJ 4DPLEX's 4DX and SCREENX Break Memorial Day Opening Weekend Box Office Records
Biggest weekend of 2025 for CJ 4DPLEX, led by "Lilo & Stitch" and "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" LOS ANGELES, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CJ 4DPLEX is proud to announce its biggest Memorial Day weekend ever, with a combined $4.4 million domestic box office haul across its 4DX and SCREENX formats. The holiday weekend marked the largest weekend of the year for CJ 4DPLEX and set new high-water marks for both formats. Powered by Disney's Lilo & Stitch and Paramount's Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, 4DX and SCREENX drew audiences into the action like never before: 4DX generated $2.9 million total with Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible Lilo & Stitch alone delivered $2.2 million in 4DX — the biggest Memorial Day opening ever for a single 4DX title SCREENX delivered $1.5 million with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, surpassing the Memorial Day weekend record previously held by Top Gun: Maverick Across both formats, this was CJ 4DPLEX's biggest U.S. weekend of the year to date "This record-breaking weekend shows just how far our premium formats have come in delivering next-level theatrical experiences," said Don Savant, CEO & President, CJ 4DPLEX America. "From the heartwarming chaos of Lilo & Stitch in 4DX to the heart-pounding stunts of Mission: Impossible in both 4DX and SCREENX, we're proud to offer fans experiences they simply can't get at home. We're thrilled with these results and excited for what's ahead this summer." CJ 4DPLEX's 4DX format enhances films with environmental effects such as motion, vibration, wind, fog, lightning, and scent, synced to the action onscreen. SCREENX expands the visuals onto the side walls of the auditorium, surrounding viewers with up to 270 degrees of panoramic imagery. "The submarine sequence in Mission is one of the most breathtaking scenes we've ever seen in SCREENX," said Savant. "It's a perfect example of how SCREENX transforms incredible filmmaking into an experience you can only have in our theaters." Both Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning are now playing in 4DX, with Mission: Impossible also available in SCREENX theaters across the U.S and Canada. About CJ 4DPLEX CJ 4DPLEX is a leading, next-generation cinema technology company, headquartered in Seoul with international offices in Los Angeles and Beijing. The company has created innovative film technologies for theaters worldwide that include 'SCREENX', '4DX', and 'Ultra 4DX' for consumers to experience films in ways that were never before possible. CJ 4DPLEX is a part of the CJ Group conglomerate that also includes entertainment powerhouses CJ CGV, the fifth largest theater chain in the world, and CJ ENM (CJ Entertainment & Media), who produced the Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and SAG Awards winning film, "Parasite". SCREENX is the world's first multi-projection cinema with an immersive 270 degree field of view. By expanding the image beyond the frame and onto the walls of the theater, SCREENX places the audience directly at the center of the story, creating a visually immersive viewing experience unlike any other. To date, there are over 370 SCREENX auditoriums around the world in 40 countries. 4DX provides moviegoers with a multi-sensory cinema-going experience, allowing audiences to connect with movies through motion, vibration, water, wind, snow, lightning, scents, and other special effects that enhance the visuals on-screen. Each 4DX auditorium incorporates motion-based seating synchronized with more than 21 different effects and optimized by a team of skilled editors. To date, there are over 790 4DX auditoriums around the world, spanning over 70 countries. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE CJ 4DPLEX Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
MLB Park Factors: Pitcher's parks that will affect your fantasy baseball teams in 2025
Park Factors can dramatically influence a player's fantasy baseball value. Left-handed batters have seen a 42% increase in home runs when hitting in Cincinnati over the last three seasons, but they've experienced a 23% decrease in San Francisco. Parks can also affect strikeouts and walks — not just power. And many other factors outside of just dimensions go into whether a venue benefits hitters or pitchers, including mound height, climate, wind and even umpire accuracy due to visibility. Getting ahead of changes for 2025 — whether they be in park structure or players changing teams — will help win your fantasy league. We'll now examine the best pitching parks for the season. Most stats are courtesy of Savant, using a three-year sample. The following parks are listed with the most extreme at the top, with +/- % being the difference compared to league average: Seattle was baseball's most extreme park last season, as T-Mobile decreased run scoring (-21%) as much as Coors Field increased it. Visibility looks like one issue, as no park boosts Whiff Rate more. Temperature and wind are also among many contributing factors to Seattle being an extreme pitcher's park. Andrés Muñoz had the third-biggest home/road split of any pitcher since World War II last season. Here are Seattle's starting pitchers' eye-opening home/road splits from last year Logan Gilbert (2.49 vs. 3.94) Luis Castillo (3.15 vs. 4.25) George Kirby (3.06 vs. 3.89) Bryce Miller (1.96 vs. 4.07!) Bryan Woo (2.47 vs. 3.29) Mariners' pitchers will continue to get a huge boost from their home park, but it's a hurdle for Julio Rodríguez. Tropicana Field has also decreased walks by 5% and increased strikeouts by 8% over the last three seasons, so the Rays' move to a new home with Yankee Stadium's dimensions will have major fantasy ramifications. Petco Park has actually boosted homers (+4%) over the last three seasons, but it remains a tough place to hit overall. Nick Pivetta's propensity to give up home runs should remain an issue with his move from Fenway Park (-2%); Pivetta allowed 20 of his 28 homers on the road last year. Still, Pivetta moves from the second-best hitter's park to the third-best pitcher's park according to Park Factors. Pivetta has the fifth-best K-BB% since 2023, so he looks like a top-40 fantasy SP after his dramatic change in scenery. Cleveland suddenly became incredibly HR-friendly for left-handed batters last year after Progressive Field removed some shipping containers and created a 'wind tunnel.' Progressive Field had suppressed HR for LHB by 15% over 2022-23, but it boosted them by 16% last season. Progressive Field had decreased HR (both sides of the plate) an MLB-high 23% over 2022-23, but it was more favorable for homers than Coors Field in 2024. It's best to use three-year samples in Park Factors, but the physical changes could continue to lead to a much different hitting environment in Cleveland. San Francisco remains an extreme pitcher's park even after moving in its outfield fences in 2020. That's likely because climate is the biggest culprit, as Oracle Park is cold and filled with dense air right next to the ocean. Balls simply don't travel as far there (h/t Barry Bonds the GOAT). Willy Adames gets a downgrade moving to the Giants. Milwaukee has increased HR for RHB by 11% over the last three seasons, whereas San Francisco has decreased them by 21%. Graphics may show all of Adames' 150 career home runs theoretically leaving Oracle Park, but the main issue in San Francisco is air density, not park dimensions. Those fly balls simply won't travel as far in the Bay Area. The Giants haven't had a 30-homer hitter since 2004 for a reason; every other team has at least one since 2019. Adames also never had more than eight steals in a season before last year, and he now joins a San Francisco organization that was the least likely to attempt a stolen base last season. Michael Conforto gets a major fantasy boost leaving the Giants. San Francisco has been a bottom-three park for left-handed power (-23%) over the last three seasons, but Dodger Stadium has been the sixth-best (+16%). Kyle Tucker might lose a few homers with his move from Houston to Chicago. Minute Maid Park has boosted HR for LHB by 10% over the last three seasons, but Wrigley Field has suppressed them by 10%. But it's only a slight downgrade overall, and the Cubs ran more than the Astros last season. Still, Tucker will be dealing with the windiest conditions in baseball now. Meanwhile, pull-happy Isaac Paredes should see a bump moving from Wrigley Field (and Tropicana) to Houston's short left-field porch. Paredes had twice as many expected homers (26) at Minute Maid Park last season compared to Wrigley Field (13).
