Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Feb 4: Another person person has been arrested in connection with a case where a group, posing as ED (Enforcement Directorate) officials, raided the house of Vittal Bolanthuru's Narsh Suleiman Haji and looted several items.
The arrested accused has been identified as Sachin, a native of Kerala. The Vittal police apprehended the accused at Kannur International Airport in Kerala. A black Innova car and a Samsung mobile phone found in the possession of the accused have been seized.
This arrest follows the earlier apprehension of Anil Fernandes (49), a resident of Mathilil, Trikkadavur, Perinad, Kollam district, Kerala, who was identified as the prime accused in the same case. Fernandes was arrested by the Dakshina Kannada police after an intensive operation. During his arrest, the police seized significant items, including an Ertiga car (KL-02-BP-1104) used in the crime, Rs 5,00,000 in cash, and a fake vehicle number plate (TN-20-DB-5517) that had been affixed to the car during the robbery. The total value of the seized items, including the cash and vehicle, is estimated at Rs 11,00,000.
Meanwhile, the newly arrested accused, Sachin, has experienced a deterioration in his health. He has been admitted to the Puttur Government Hospital and is undergoing treatment. The incident, which occurred on January 3 at around 8:10 PM, involved a gang of six individuals impersonating ED officials. They arrived at Suleiman Haji’s residence in a car with Tamil Nadu registration, claiming to be conducting a raid. The gang confiscated five mobile phones and approximately Rs 25 to 30 lac in cash stored in a cupboard in Suleiman Haji’s room, which was reportedly kept for business purposes. The impersonators threatened the family, stating, “You are not allowed to keep such a large amount of cash at home. We will arrest and take you into custody.”
After the robbery, the gang left the house around 10:30 PM, claiming that documentation for the seized cash would be provided and that the amount could be collected from their Bengaluru office. Later, the family realized they had been scammed and filed a complaint at the Vittal police station.
In response to the crime, Dakshina Kannada district police, under the direction of SP Yatheesh N, formed four special investigation teams to track down the culprits. The arrests of Anil Fernandes and Sachin mark significant breakthroughs in the case. Efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects are ongoing, and authorities are committed to bringing all involved parties to justice. The investigation continues, with officers from various police stations within Dakshina Kannada actively participating in the case.