Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 20: Those who recently robbed Kateel temple priest, Vasudeva Asranna's home, chose him as their target as they thought it was a soft target, and hoped they would get a big booty for financing their luxurious ways of living and to repay mounting debt on account of their habit of spending beyond means. They therefore choose the house of Asranna after carefully considering pros and cons, it is gathered.
The main accused and original plotter of the robbery, Sudhindra Rao H K alias Sudhindra alias Susheendra Rao, got to know from temple employee, Suresh Kumar, about the absence of CCTV, dogs and security guard at the house of Asranna. Rao therefore thought it to be an automatic choice for robbery. When he consulted his accomplices, they agreed to execute the plan readily. During the robbery executed in the early hours on October 4, the gang could get only 80 sovereigns of gold ornaments, Rs 30,000 in cash, and three cellphones. The booty was way below their expectations.
Sudhindra Rao, who hails from Yekkar, knew Asranna well. Rao's ancestors had been serving to carry the Bali Murthy of Goddess Durgaparameshwari in the past. Rao, who presented himself as a well-to-do businessman to the outer world, raised loans from various sources to protect his image. He also had hired a driver for his car to keep his image intact, and had rented a house by paying rent of Rs 20,000 per month at Kapikad in the city, sources said. He had raised loans from banks and finance companies beyond his means, and planned robbery to clear off the dues, it is gathered.
The robbers thought that Vasudeva Asranna, a simple and innocent person, would not seek police or legal assistance in case of robbery. When Asranna, who was away from home during the robbery, came to know about the incident, he had said that the Goddess will decide what has to be done.
After the robbery, the accused continued to move around Kateel till afternoon to ensure that no one got any doubt about their involvement in the crime.
Five persons including Sudhindra Rao and Suresh Kumar have been arrested. All of them are in judicial custody. All the five are married and have families to look after. Perhaps their over confidence about not getting caught gave them the courage to commit this crime without thinking twice about the future of their dependents. It is said that the wife of one of the arrested persons even went to police station to file missing complaint, and after getting to know about his involvement with the crime, had even tried to end her life.