Mangalore: M G Hegde Seeks Action Against 'Fake Astrologer'
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM/SN)
Mangalore, Oct 31: M G Hegde, JD(S) state secretary has alleged that Kalmadi Jaganath Joshi of Hari Krishna Nilaya in Thokkottu has duped a number of people posing as an astrologer.
In this regard, Hegde along with other leaders submitted a memorandum to police commissioner Manish Karbikar here on Wednesday October 31.
Hegde said that cases against the fake astrologer have been registered in Bantwal, Bunder, Kankanady rural and Ullal police stations. Complaints have also been lodged by A N Rao Bantwal, Mohammad Sadiq, Ram Madiwal Pilimogaru, Ibrahim Ullal, Vijay Shakthinagar, Umesh Kapikad, Mohammed Sharief, Mohammad Kairangala and Ismail Kairangala, he said.
"Out of these cases, only the Bantwal case has been solved wherein the police have recovered the gold which was looted by Joshi. The other cases remain at a standstill," he added.
"In one such case, a house belonging to a backward class man, identified as Aitha, was leased by Joshi, which he in turn sold to BJP's Chandrashekar Uchila, former panchayat head. He forged an RTC in his wife's name. As per the law, land belonging to minorities cannot be purchased," said Hegde.
In another case, Joshi sold a house belonging to owner Vijay in Vamanjoor. He promised Vijay on an agreement that he would pay him a good amount of money, acquired from the sale of the house. However, Vijay never received the money. Not only was he duped, but even forced to stay in a rented house at Shakthinagar.
"Joshi always retaliates when confronted with the allegations," Hedge said.
Joshi's main targets are those with low self-esteem or gullible people. He paints them an enticing but false picture and traps them, before escaping with their money and valuables, Hegde alleged.
His wife Ratnavati, daughter Geetha, sons Chandrahas and Ganesh and son-in-law Harish Suvarna were his accomplices, he added.
Hegde has requested the commissioner to intervene in the matter by appointing a special officer to probe the case.
"Strict action must be taken against Joshi and all his illegal properties. Failure to comply with these requests would lead to a protest," stated Hegde in the memorandum.