Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (EP/SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 27: A jeweller who had complained that bike-borne robbers had sprayed chilli powder into his eyes and forcibly taken away 54 grams of gold ornaments he was carrying near Jeppu Mahakalipadpu, has been arrested. The police have found that the story created by Harish Acharya was a concoction of lies.

Acharya had filed complaint in Pandeshwar police station here, saying that he was carrying 54 grams of gold ornaments from his shop at car street here on March 21 for being delivered to Haji Gold and Diamonds at Thokkottu, when unknown people had intercepted him near Mahakalipadpu, sprayed chilli powder, and robbed him of gold worth Rs 1,35,000.

Even as this complaint was being investigated, he complained to Ullal police, informing that thieves had entered his house, 'Kalikmba Nilaya' at Kanakamugeru in Kinya village, Talapady, on the night of March 22 and stolen valuables worth one lac rupees.

When the police subjected Acharya to intense questioning on both the cases, they realized that both the complaints were fake, as Acharya confessed that he put together this story as he was facing financial crisis. Acharya, it transpires, had himself sprayed chilli powder into his eyes. He also stole gold ornaments belonging to his parents-in-law, who were on a visit to his house, to compensate for the jewellery he had to give to Haji jewellery, the police said.

Acharya was arrested on Monday March 26 from near K C Road and ornaments were confiscated from his possession. The Anti Rowdy Squad led by assistant police commissioner, Rama Rao, cracked this case. Ulal police inspector, Gopikrishna and staff were involved with this operation.