Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Oct 13: In a high-profile embezzlement case, Nagash Poojary (31), an Indian expatriate from Wakwady, was arrested by Udupi CEN police for allegedly siphoning off over Rs 2.5 crore while working as an accountant for a hotel owned by Dubai’s Fortune Group.
After initially securing bail from the JMFC court, he had been on the run following its cancellation by both the district sessions court and the Karnataka high court.
Udupi police apprehended Poojary of Barkur near Nanjangud in Mysuru district. He was presented before the judge, who ordered him to be remanded in police custody for three days until October 16 for further investigation.
Background: Poojari joined a hotel affiliated with the Dubai Fortune Group as an accountant and was promoted to chief accountant in 2022. In 2023, he returned to India for a three-month leave for his wedding but requested an additional 15 days off, which was denied due to increased work pressure.
Subsequently, he submitted his resignation via email. Upon reviewing the hotel’s financial records, management discovered a significant amount of cash missing.
It was revealed that Poojari had embezzled Rs 2,55,63,000 (Rs 2.55 crore) by creating false entries in the accounts to cover up his cash transactions. He had been on the run following the cancellation of his bail and remained elusive to police.
Special Public Prosecutor appointed: The government recently ordered the appointment of Shivaprasad Alva, a senior law officer from the Mangaluru division, as the special public prosecutor to handle the case in court.