Gangster Ravi Pujari's aide arrested in ex-K'taka minister Varthur Prakash's kidnap and extortion case

While Pujari was elusive and operating from African countries, he was arrested and later extradited from Senegal to India in February.

The ex-minister in the BJP government between 2010 to 2013 told the police initially about an extortion demand of Rs 30 crores and later released after payment of Rs 48 lakhs to kidnappers. However, the cops refused to buy this argument.

As per police sources, they think the case pertains to cattle trade and requires a detailed probe.

Arresting Kaviraj was a task for Central Range Cops as the accused who is said to be a mastermind was always alert. He was made to come near Hosur in Tamil Nadu border after calls from another accused Rohit who is in police custody.

Kaviraj suspected the cops movement and realised that Rohit was being used as bait to nab him and started to move his car. The cops also chased. The accused then took a turn on a muddy road and his car got stuck.

Although he made an attempt to run away, the cops overpowered and took him in for questioning.