Copyright newskarnataka
In a case of attempted extortion, the owner of the popular OG Variar & Sons bakery in Rajajinagar has filed a police complaint against a man who allegedly posed as a government official and journalist to demand money. The accused, identifying himself as H.C. Venugopal, reportedly claimed to be a member of the “Parliament Petition Committee” and theeditor of a news channel, threatening to defame the bakery over alleged “poor-quality products” unless he was paid a settlement amount. Extortion attempt after bakery visit According to the complaint filed by Vijaya Shankar OG (61), owner of OG Variar & Sons, the incident occurred on November 3. Venugopal visited the bakery that day, purchased a few items, and later obtained Shankar’s contact number from an employee. That evening, Shankar received a call from an unknown number, where the caller identified himself as Venugopal and asked to meet him near the Shivanagar bridge. When the two met, Venugopal allegedly presented a visiting card describing him as a member of the Parliament Petition Committee, president of a Human Rights Commission, and editor and publisher of The Nature News. He claimed that the bakery’s products were substandard and threatened to send the samples to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for testing. Venugopal allegedly demanded a “settlement amount” to prevent the report from being submitted and warned that he could damage the bakery’s reputation on social media and through “official channels” if his demand was not met. Bakery owner refuses to comply Speaking to The Times of India, Shankar said he firmly told Venugopal that the bakery’s products were of the highest quality and accused him of making false claims. “When I questioned why he was spreading false allegations, he threatened to use his political and media influence to tarnish my bakery’s name if I didn’t pay up,” Shankar recalled. After an argument, Venugopal reportedly gave Shankar some time to “reconsider” and left the scene. The next day, he called again, reiterating his demands. Instead of complying, Shankar alerted the Basaveshwaranagar police and filed a formal complaint. Police register case under cheating and extortion Based on the complaint, the Basaveshwaranagar police registered a case against Venugopal under Sections 319 (cheating by personation) and 308 (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police sources said the accused, who is in his 60s and claims to be an environmental activist, has been questioned and directed to appear before the investigating officer again for further interrogation. Investigators are also verifying Venugopal’s credentials and the authenticity of his alleged affiliations with government bodies and media organisations. Popular bakery, trusted legacy OG Variar & Sons, one of Bengaluru’s most reputed bakeries, has been serving customers for decades and enjoys a loyal following for its fresh breads, biscuits, and sweets. News of the alleged extortion attempt has shocked many regular patrons who consider the bakery an institution in the city’s food culture. Police said they are examining CCTV footage and call records to gather more evidence. They have also warned business owners to remain vigilant against individuals falsely claiming to represent government panels or media outlets for monetary gain. Authorities urge caution Officials have urged the public to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be part of official committees or investigative teams. Such extortion attempts, police said, often target small business owners who fear reputational damage. Investigations are ongoing, and Venugopal may face arrest if evidence confirms the extortion allegations.
