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Lithuanian Crypto Kingpin Arrested in Kerala: Frequent Visitor to Varkala

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Aleksej Besciokov, a 46-year-old Lithuanian national sought by the U.S. Department of Justice for financial fraud, was apprehended by Kerala Police in Varkala, near Thiruvananthapuram. His arrest was executed following a Red Corner Notice issued by Interpol, based on a warrant from the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) at Patiala House Court, requested by U.S. authorities.

Thiruvananthapuram Range DIG Ajeetha Begum confirmed that Besciokov had frequently visited Varkala. He allegedly attempted to bribe Jojin Raj, a civil police officer with the Tourism Police, with a wad of cash when the officer knocked on his door. The officer declined the bribe, resulting in Besciokov’s subsequent arrest.

Besciokov had been living in Varkala with his wife, two daughters, and an unidentified acquaintance. His family departed India on Monday, and he was scheduled to leave the country the following day before his arrest at a homestay. Earlier in 2023, three Russians, including a woman associated with him, were deported from Varkala, but investigations at that time did not link back to Besciokov.

Local residents expressed shock upon learning that a man accused of defrauding hundreds of millions had been living among them for years. Although he occasionally traveled abroad, he remained reclusive, spending most of his time at his homestay with family and Russian associates.

The police had previously raided this homestay two years ago in connection with drug trafficking, which led to the deportation of three Russians. Although the deportation notice identified the homestay, known as Zoya, as their address, investigations failed to connect Besciokov to any crimes until Interpol’s notice shed light on his extensive criminal activities.

Besciokov faces numerous charges, including money laundering in the United States, and was apprehended during a coordinated operation between Kerala Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). While he holds Lithuanian citizenship, he is also a permanent resident of Russia. His arrest has been officially recorded by the Varkala police, and he was transferred to the CBI on Saturday. Reports suggest he is refusing to provide the password for a seized laptop.

As one of the co-founders of Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2022, Besciokov is accused of playing a significant role in laundering billions of dollars for transnational criminal and cybercriminal groups. On March 7, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against him, and he appears on the U.S. Secret Service’s Most Wanted list. The indictment also includes Aleksandr Mira Serda, a 40-year-old Russian national based in the United Arab Emirates, as a co-founder of Garantex. Moreover, Besciokov is accused of breaching the servers of 600 major corporations worldwide and defrauding them, with his latest fraud targeting water and electricity distribution companies across Europe, North America, and Australia.

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MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

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New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.

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8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire

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Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.

Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.

Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.

Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.

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75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon

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Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.

The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.

The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”

However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.

Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.

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