ED attaches ₹3.98 crore worth properties linked to Aishwarya Gowda in gold investment scam

Bengaluru

In a significant development in the high-profile gold investment scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth ₹3.98 crore belonging to Aishwarya Gowda, who is the prime accused in the case. According to the agency, the attached assets include immovable properties valued at ₹2.01 crore and movable assets worth ₹1.97 crore.

The attachment follows an investigation into allegations that Aishwarya Gowda and her husband Harish K.N. lured multiple investors with the promise of unusually high returns on gold investments. However, the couple reportedly failed to repay the investors and are accused of using the names of prominent political leaders, including former MP DK Suresh, to intimidate or mislead their victims.

On April 24, ED officials had carried out searches at Aishwarya Gowda’s residences in Bengaluru, including her flat in Goraguntepalya. During these raids, officials reportedly recovered documents suggesting large-scale financial irregularities and money laundering, leading to the provisional attachment of assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED had previously arrested Aishwarya Gowda in connection with the case. She was later granted conditional bail by a Bengaluru Sessions Court, which required her to furnish a bond of ₹5 lakh and adhere to several other conditions.

As part of the same probe, former Congress MP DK Suresh was also questioned by the ED at its Shantinagar office in Bengaluru. Sources indicate that officials sought clarity on his alleged links to Aishwarya Gowda and whether there were any financial transactions between them.

DK Suresh has denied any monetary dealings with the accused and claimed he only had brief interactions with her during a few events in his constituency. He has stated publicly that he is cooperating fully with the investigation.