Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police have registered a case of fraud against Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's brother Gopal Joshi and sister Vijayalakshmi on a complaint by Sunita Chavan, wife of former JD(S) MLA Debabrata Phool Singh Chavan.

The name of Gopal's son Ajay Joshi is also included in the case registered in Basaveshwar Nagar police station. After the case came to light, political turmoil increased in the state. Congress demanded the resignation of the Union Minister. At the same time, Pralhad Joshi said that he has no relationship with his brother for the last 32 years.

Fraud in the name of getting tickets

Sunitha alleged that she had gone to Gopal's residence in Hubballi in North Karnataka in March, where Gopal had promised her a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections in May. Sunitha said that on Gopal's instructions, she had also delivered Rs 25 lakh to Vijayalakshmi's residence in Basaveshwar Nagar.

Later, Gopal was given Rs 1.75 crore. Sunita alleged that when she did not get the ticket, she spoke to Gopal again. A complaint was lodged when Gopal did not return the money. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand said the matter was being investigated.

Congress demonstrated

When the matter came to light, the Union Minister said that he has distanced himself from his brother Gopal Joshi for the last 32 years. He said that I have filed an affidavit in the court and also published a public notice, stating that whoever claims to be his brother, relative or friend and gets involved in any financial matter, he will not be responsible for it.

In this case, Congress workers protested at Gandhi Bhavan in Bengaluru. Union Minister Joshi has been demanded to be dismissed from the cabinet and the accused should be arrested.