Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Jan 10: Ganesh (23), a construction worker, was somehow carrying on with his life out of his earnings. However, after he developed a greed to gain access to a "hidden treasure", he lost everything. This apart, the police have also taken him into custody.

This incident occurred in Paisari, Holamala Kote Channayyanakote Gram Panchayat limits in Virajpet taluk. It is said that Ganesh came under the influence of some Kerala-based tantrics or sorcerers who claimed to have mystical powers. They asked him to dig up his house to get his hand on a "hidden treasure" several feet under the earth's surface.

About a week ago, Ganesh had brought home two sorcerers from Kerala. They performed different rituals at Ganesh's house and also sacrificed a chicken. The doors of the house were shut, and keeping the neighborhood in the dark , Ganesh started digging his house. After digging 15 feet, he got only water. Later, he and his sorcerers were preparing for a bigger sacrifice to appease the spirits when the police, based on a tip off, came there and took Ganesh into custody.

The police got to know that the soil dug out was stored in the other room of the house. The pit is so deep that the walls of the house may crumble, it is said. If the digging had continued, the walls would have caved in and the incident could have claimed the lives of the people inside.

The police were informed by Ganesh's neighbors who were home due to weekend curfew and were aware of the activities going on at Ganesh's house. The Kodagu district Crime Intelligence Bureau and Siddapura police raided the house and gathered the details. Ganesh, two Kerala-based sorcerers and two others including Sadiq from Udupi were arrested. The police are searching for three more who are linked with this incident. Ganesh. who spent money on digging his house in search of the treasure not only endangered his own house but also is in police custody now.