Nalluralli Subramani

BENGALURU: A man, who drove an autorickshaw till two years ago and claims to have struck paydirt after an elderly American woman took him under his wings, is now under the scanner of the income tax department. Officials recently searched his Rs 1.6-crore triplex villa in Whitefield.

According to unverified information, a whopping Rs 7.9 crore, jewellery worth crores of rupees and property documents were recovered during the search at the villa of Nalluralli Subramani, 37, in the gated community of Jetty Dwarakamayi on April 16.

“We cannot disclose the details. The search was conducted based on reliable information. While it seems to be a benami property case, investigation is under way,” said an official.

The investigators have issued a notice to the developer of the gated community of 15 villas, seeking details of the transactions pertaining to his property.

“We’ve provided whatever information and documents we had to the officials. We’re ready to cooperate with them for further probe,” said Lakshmi Jetty, managing director, Jetty Engineering India Limited.

What is more intriguing in Subramani’s story is the role of a 72-year-old American woman, whose charity, he claims, is the source of his wealth, even as there are rumours of politicians parking illegal wealth with him.

“Subramani came to us driving his auto with the American woman in 2013, seeking a villa on rent. We gave it for a monthly rent of Rs 30,000. In 2015, he showed interest to buy it. He paid Rs 1.6 crore in 16 cheques, each of Rs 10 lakh,” said Jetty.

As he started living a lavish life at the villa, he stopped driving auto. Sources said he would spend the day playing either cricket or badminton and the night, drinking with friends.

Subramani’s daughter (class IV) and son (class V) are studying at DEANS Academy, an international school, in Whitefield.

“He used to hobnob with local politicians and even organise events at the gated community. But we never saw him going to work,” said a neighbour.

Villa owners targeting me: Driver

Subramani said the officials visited his residence with misconstrued information and they did not find any wealth. He accused the owners of the gated community of instigating the I-T department to harass him.

“Some villa owners, including me, have civil disputes pending in the court against the owners. As they are politically connected, they’re harassing me,” he claimed.

He accused the owners of disconnecting water and electricity supply to his home. “In 2017, there was a death due to manual scavenging and I raised my voice against it. As I managed to form an association of villa owners, they are settling scores against me,” he added.

He reiterated that the US woman helped him. “She was working in GE company in Whitefield and used to commute in my auto. She offered me help to get my children good education. As she lent me interest-free loan, I purchased the villa,” said Subramani who did not reveal the mode of loan re-payment.

As he was seen with BJP leader and Mahadevapura MLA Arvind Limbavali in a photograph, speculation is rife about links between the two.

Limbavali, however, denied any link with Subramani. “I had taken part in a Rajyotsava celebration at the gated community as the area belongs to my constituency. Somebody might have taken the photo during the event,” he said.

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