Underworld don Bannanje Raja to be brought from Morocco to Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Alleged underworld don, Bannanje Raja, who was facing an Interpol red corner notice, will be brought to the city from Morocco in a week's time, Karnataka Director General of Police Om Prakash today said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said "Raja is a noted criminal and is wanted in 44 cases in Karnataka. He is also wanted by Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and other states' police."

Raja is wanted in cases including extortion, 'hafta' collection, threatening and alleged murders through his associates.

Prakash said Raja was originally from Malpe in Udupi district, and he started his activities there.

"His first crime according to our records is in 1990 in Udupi...subsequently he came to Bengaluru and expanded his activities. After 1998 he has gone abroad and continued his criminal activity from there," he said.

Interpol red corner notice was also issued against Raja.

He possessed fake passports in three different names.

Raja was arrested in February in Morocco, Prakash said, adding, officials there had informed India about his arrest.

"Our investigation team on receiving the information about this arrest had sent provisional arrest request to Morocco, requesting them to keep him under custody," he said.

A team of Police officials headed by Additional Commissioner of Police Pratap Reddy has been tasked to bring Raja back to India from Morocco, officials said.