Kannada news channel's CEO arrested for extortion

Laxmi Prasad Vajapaiye was caught red-handed by the Bengaluru police while accepting a ransom by two businessmen.

The Bengaluru police on Friday arrested the CEO of a regional news channel over allegations of extortion. CEO of Janasri, a Kannada news and infotainment channel was caught red-handed on Friday night accepting money from a businessman. Laxmi Prasad Vajapaiye is said to have threatened and extorted money from managing directors of Injaz Group.

Suhail Sheriff and Misbah Mukaram from the Injaz Group informed the Bengaluru police of the channel's CEO threatening to defame them through a program on his channel. The complaint stated that he asked the businessmen to pay an extortion ransom if they wanted the program shelved. Alarmed by the threat, the businessmen approached the cops who set a trap to nab the accused red-handed.

At around 10 pm on Friday, the businessmen entered channel's office and met Vajapaiye. As they were handing over the ransom, the police walked in and arrested the CEO. He is currently in the Koramangala police station. The channel was founded by BJP leader Sriramulu and is reported to be a joint venture with ousted BJP leader and illegal mining accused Janardhana Reddy.

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