Daijiworld Media Network-Puttur (RJP)

Puttur, Aug 2: In a surprising development, Balakrishna Bhat the owner of Srivara Jewellers has surrendered to Puttur town police on Saturday, August 1.

Balakrishna Bhat is the main accused in a case in which thousands of customers were duped. The customers did not get the promised gold jewellery in return for monthly instalments paid by them.

Srivara Jewellers had showrooms in Sullia and Puttur. It had enrolled around 6,000 customers for its schemes from Puttur, Madikeri, Sullia and Bantwal taluks through a network of agents. The amount of fraud is estimated at Rs 1.82 crore.

Police have seized two cars belonging to Balakrishna Bhat. They had seized 6 bikes Bhat had given to his employees for their work in his company.

The second accused Varadesh, son of Balakrishna Bhat, was arrested by a team of police personnel on Tuesday July 27at Kushalnagar. It is said that after Varadesh’s arrest police got information about the whereabouts of Balakrishna Bhat. Two teams from the police had already visited Madikeri and Sakleshpur areas in search of Bhat. Bhat who realised that there was no way out and he would be located anytime, decided to surrender to police.

Balakrishna Bhat’s daughter Parimala is also an accused in the case and is still absconding.

Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of police Dr Sharanappa had given special attention to this case and he has been monitoring every development in the case, it is said.

Puttur rural police are investigating the case.