Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Jan 14: In a new twist to the sob story of the youth who had claimed to become 'dumb' after his father subjected him to 'electric shocks', it has now come to light that it was nothing but a yarn spun by the penniless youth to win some sympathy!
Annappa (30), an Ayyappa devotee, had claimed himself to be from Shantinagara in Aldur taluk of Chikmagalur district and had turned dumb after his father, who had married for a second time, had given him electric shocks. He had also claimed with a group of Ayyappa devotees with whom he visited Dharmasthala on way back home, that he had been orphaned by his father and some relatives during the pilgrimage to Sabarimala.
The police, who toiled hard for two days, running around, collecting information from various sources, seeking assistance from police of Chikmagalur district, and provide a secure future for the innocent-looking man, finally found out that he was taking them for a ride all along.
The police have now been given to understand that he had not faked his name. His father is Raju Gowda from Guddethota in Sringeri taluk. He had tried to make everyone believe that his father had married another lady after the demise of his mother when he was two years old, and that he grew up as an orphan. He also had claimed that the concerned were after his life on account of his father's property. All these details were part of the story he had concocted , and he was talented enough to make everyone believe it, it now transpires.
It was however true, that he had been on Sabarimala pilgrimage, and had accompanied a group of devotees from Honnavar on return journey, by lying to them that he had been left behind by his father. After the devotees consulted Dr Veerendra Heggade, at his advice, he was handed over to police, he had succeeded in continuing to hoodwink the police for two long days. He even breached the trust reposed on his narration by district superintendent of police, who had promised him treatment and protection. The police were kept on their toes by him by giving him different addresses, and the police sincerely went in search of them.
The superintendent of police of Chikmagalur district and police sub-inspector of Aldur too had communicated with him and tried their best to help him out of his present troubles. The police, who had drawn a blank in their efforts, had come back to Beltangady late night on Monday. On Tuesday again, the 'dumb' Annappa feigned himself to be a dumb and orphaned victim of family feud.
The police hit a treasure trove of information after they stumbled on the telephone number of his elder sister. She told them that he can speak, and is capable of conversing in seven languages including Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, English, Telugu, Malayalam, Tulu etc. It is however true that he had worked in Goddess Annapoorneshwari Temple in Horanadu. When confronted with this information, Annappa confessed that after reaching Sabarimala, he had no money to return home. He said he weaved a story to win over the sympathy of others and get free transportation, food etc, he added, as he guessed that seeking money directly will not get favourable response.
The police, who had lost two days, which otherwise would have been put for better use, did not take any action against Annappa. He was allowed to go home without facing any problem.