Udupi: Man Goes Missing Under Mysterious Circumstances, Car Found

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 27: A car that was hired from KSRTC bus stand in Mangalore was found abandoned near the main gate of Suzlon Energy Ltd near Padubidri on Friday August 26. The car was found by those who went looking for car driver, Govardhan (24), who did not come back after going with some strangers, who had hired his car to reach Karkala.

An unidentified person had approached Govardhan at the car stand of KSRTC bus stand on Thursday evening, saying that his car that had developed snags at Karkala had to be brought back. Govardhan agreed to drop the person to Karkala. This information was given by Govardhan to his elder brother, Hemant, at around 10 pm on Thursday, over mobile. After 10 pm, Govardhan went with the strangers.

In all probability, those who hired the car were responsible for Govardhan’s disappearance. Because, the spot where the car was found, bore telltale signs of another car having arrived there. There are signs of a scuffle having ensued between the car driver and the hirers. Traces of chilli powder were found on the seat of the car, knobs of indicator and headlights were gauging out of their sockets, and footwear of the car driver was found inside the vehicle. Seat covers and floor mats have gone missing. It is apparent that the exterior and interior of the car were washed. The front windshield of the car was also found to have been washed.

Hemant tried to contact Govardhan on Friday morning, but his mobile was switched off. He went to Govardhan’s home, and not finding him there, informed the police. Hemant and his friends started searching for him in another car. As they could not find Govardhan anywhere, they were coming back to meet the policemen, when Govardhan's car was sighted a little away from the road, abandoned near the main gate of Suzlon.

Sniffer dogs and finger print experts arrived on the spot thereafter. However, the sniffer dogs were not of much help as it was raining. In the meantime, the police collected information that four unidentified persons with bandage on their hands, arrived at KSRTC bus stand on Friday evening, tried to hire a car to reach Bekal fort, and as no driver was prepared to go with them, went to the railway station.

Govardhan, resident of Bejai seventh cross in the city, is unmarried.  He is also a pump operator of Mangalore City Corporation, and after discharging duty during the day, had come to the car stand in the evening. He has a family of old parents, a sister, and two brothers.