K. C. Veerendra Puppy
K. C. Veerendra | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office May 2023 | |
| Preceded by | G. H. Thippareddy |
| Constituency | Chitradurga |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kondlahalli Channabasappa Veerendra 1975 (age 50–51) Karnataka, India |
| Party | Indian National Congress |
Other political affiliations | Janata Dal (Secular) |
| Spouse | R. D. Chaitra[1] |
| Relatives | Doddanna (father-in-law)[2] |
Kondlahalli Channabasappa Veerendra Puppy (born 1975) is an Indian politician from Karnataka and is a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Chitradurga representing the Indian National Congress.[3][4] In August 2025, he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his alleged role in online money betting and for money laundering.[5]
Early life and education
Veerendra is from Challakere, Chitradurga district. His father Kondlahalli Channabasappa was a farmer. Veerendra obtained a bachelor of commerce degree in 1999 at HPPC Government First Grade College, which is affiliated with Kuvempu University.[6]
Career
Veerendra won from Chitradurga representing Indian National Congress in the 2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election. He polled 122,021 votes and defeated his nearest rival, G. H. Thippareddy of Bharatiya Janata Party, by a huge margin of 53,300 votes.[7][8][9]
On 23 August 2025, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested Chitradurga from Gangtok, Sikkim, in connection with his alleged role in a case involving, now illegal, offline and online betting.[10] On 22 August, the ED launched a raid at 31 locations and reportedly ₹12 crore was recovered in cash and foreign currency.[5] Raids were also held in Goa on some of the casinos including Veerendra's Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino and Big Daddy Casino.[11] In August 2025, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was passed in the parliament. The bill puts an end to online money gaming in India.[12] In December, Veerendra was granted bail.[13] In a supplementary prosecution complaint filed in February 2026, the ED stated that proceeds of his alleged crime exceeded ₹2,300 crore.[14]
References
- ↑ "HC dismisses plea of Chitradurga MLA's wife against his arrest by ED". The Times of India. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "IT officials seize billions in secret bathroom chamber in Karnataka". The New Indian Express. 11 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 January 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "K C Veerendra Puppy in Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023". News18. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ↑ "Chitradurga Assembly Karnataka Election 2023 Results Live: Chitradurga constituency Results, Winner list and vote share | Hindustan Times". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- 1 2 "Enforcement Directorate arrests Karnataka Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra in 'illegal' betting case". The Hindu. 23 August 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ↑ "K.C.Veerendra Puppy(Indian National Congress(INC)):Constituency- CHITRADURGA(CHITRADURGA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". www.myneta.info. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ↑ "Chitradurga Assembly Election results LIVE: KC Veerendra Puppy emerges victorious - CNBC TV18". CNBCTV18. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ↑ "Karnataka Election Results 2023 Constituency Wise Winning Candidates List". India Today. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ↑ "Chitradurga: In Battle Of Turncoats, BJP MLA GH Thippareddy Take On Veerendra Pappy and Raghu Achar | Karnataka Constituency Watch". Times Now. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ↑ Kumari, Anushka (23 August 2025). "Rs 12 Crore Cash, Cars With Same VIP Numbers: Congress MLA Arrested In Betting Racket". NDTV. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ↑ "Karnataka Crime: ED Arrests Congress MLA Veerendra 'Puppy' in Betting Case, Rs 12 Crore Seized". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ↑ "Online Gaming Bill 2025 passed in Lok Sabha: Ban on real money gaming; boost for esports". The Times of India. 21 August 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ↑ "Illegal Betting Case: Congress MLA KC Veerendra Puppy Gets Bail". Deccan Herald. 30 December 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "Puppy's betting fraud exceeds Rs 2,300 crore: ED". The New Indian Express. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 23 May 2026.