Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 4: Two youngsters, who visited Nadiguttu Nalini Shedti (76), a resident of Yellur village near Padubidri at around 4 pm on Thursday November 3, gagged and robbed her of five sovereigns of gold ornaments she was wearing at the time.

Nalini told the police that two men, aged between 20 and 22 years, had visited her a couple of times since the last two days, in the guise of negotiating a deal to buy firewood from her. She has accused these youth of committing this crime.

“These two, who were completely wet because of rain, came to my house and sought a dry cloth to wipe water out of their heads. When I reached the door of the room, the two followed me into the house. One of them, who happened to be of strong build, snatched away cloth from my hands, and tried to smother me. Even as I pleaded with them to let me live and asked reasons for their wayward behaviour, the other youth stuffed the cloth into my mouth. One of my teeth got uprooted in the scuffle,” she explained. Nalini, who suffocated, fell unconscious to the ground, after which the youth took away a chain, two bangles and ear lobes she was wearing.

Nalini regained consciousness within ten minutes. At about 5 pm, her grandson, Sujit (13), a student of Admar School, returned. Leeladhar, son of Nalini, was away from home for vending milk, when the incident occurred.

Karkala deputy superintendent of police, Santosh Kumar, Kaup circle inspector, Cheluvaraju, and Padubidri station house officer, Mahadeva Setti, visited the spot after coming to know of the incident, and undertook investigation. Sniffer dogs and finger print experts were pressed into service.