Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jul 10: Shreevara Jewellers, which offered monthly installments scheme with monthly lottery system, and then closed its doors after collecting large sums of money, appears to be heading for a new record, as far as number of complainants involved, and also clerical work for the police personnel.

The said firm's gold scheme had become immensely popular as it got wide publicity through agents appointed all over the taluk. The amount involved is said to be running into crores of rupees, and during the last one week, over 500 have filed their complaints.

Puneet from Padil here was the first to officially lodge complaint against the owner of this firm, Balakrishna Bhat, on July 3. After him, the police station is witnessing a steady stream of complainants, who have been producing the membership cards issued under the gold scheme, receipt for money remitted, and proof of address. A separate cell led by assistant sub-inspector, Rukmaya Gowda, has been opened for the purpose. On Thursday July 9, about 75 complaints were received.

Abdul Khader, sub-inspector of the station, is leading an investigation. The policemen, who are engaged in the task of preparing list and assessing fraud, had begun work of checking documents and accounts inside the firm on July 4, and this work is continuing even now. The actual amount involved in this fraud has not yet been arrived.

The police have been also engaged with the task of seizing vehicles owned by Balakrishna Bhat, owner of this firm. They have taken over motor bikes given to agents of the scheme, staff of the jewellery firm, and sims of the cell phones belonging to the owner. Investigation is being conducted on the basis of information being provided by the manager and other staff of the jewellery firm.

The policemen have got information that Bhat, who is using three different sims given in different names, is trying to contact different lawyers in an effort to get anticipatory bail. As fraud cases have been registered against him both in Sullia and the town, and the amount involved with the fraud runs into crores of rupees, most of the leading lawyers have told him that it is almost impossible to get bail. As per information, he has been advised to surrender at the police station. As per an estimate, about 7,000 customers from the taluk have been cheated to the extent of Rs 1.76 crore by the said firm.