Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Jun 16: The six accused, who are facing charges of rigging a hole in the underground pipeline of MRPL carrying diesel and petrol to Bangalore at Dondole near Dharmasthala and siphoning off the petroleum products being pumped through the line by using a high pressure pump, were produced in the local court on Monday June 15. They have been remanded to 15 days judicial custody. The policemen have already confiscated mobile sets, cash, a tanker and Maruti Omni vehicles from the accused.
Balakrishna Suvarna (29) from Yermal House, Narya in Kanyadi is said to be the kingpin of the oil pilferage racket. Silva Claudy D'Souza (50) from Rayikatte House in Padukody village, Mangalore, is supposed to have provided him technical assistance. Radhakrishna Nair, Sandeep Rai and Naresh Devadiga, residents of Dondole in Kanyadi, working as the watchmen of MRPL provided tacit support to Suvarna. Another local named Girish Devadiga was also active with the gang's operations, it is reported.
Shaikh Abdulla of Miyal, K C Nagar, Talapady near Mangalore, Suresh Shetty of Srinidhi Transport Padil Mangalore, Lokesh Poojary of Gandodu House, B Mooda, Bantwal, Dolphi alias Wilfred residing near Ranipura Church,Konaje, Pradip and Anil from Mangalore, who are the other accused, have absconded. The policemen are trying their best arrest them.
Besides the tanker valued at about eight lac rupees and Maruti Omni vehicle approximately put at two lac rupees, Rs 56,500 in cash, four mobile sets and equipments like hoe, pickaxes, pipe etc., have been confiscated from the accused. It is said, the racket has been operating since a month, and even though the company officials grew suspicious, because of the involvement of the watchmen, the operations of the racket did not come out. The spot where the oil was being siphoned off, is located very near to the shed of the MRPL and reportedly the tanker tyres got stuck in the earth near the shed several times. The company has estimated the loss of oil at around 32,000 litres and it is as yet uncertain, as to how much petrol and diesel was involved and its worth. The policemen have failed in their efforts to find out the dealers to whom the oil was sold.
Reportedly, a few of those involved wield enormous political clout, which has hindered investigations. It is said, some political leaders have been helping the accused to go under ground and frustrate the attempts of the policemen. In the meantime, Balakrishna Suvarna has been accused of pledging spurious gold ornaments in a bank and availing loan amounting to seven lac rupees.
The people have been appreciative of the operation of the team led by circle inspector Gangi Reddy in the case.