Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Dec 22: A youth, who claimed himself to be Chidananda Bhat (39), succeeded in convincing people to part money for his eye treatment. The people, who heard that he needed blepharoplasty surgery for his eyes, took pity on this youth who seemed agile and honest, and paid him money. Essentially, the said procedure is a cosmetic surgery for improving the look of the eyelids, but the people felt that the person, who approached them with closed eyes, was really blind.

The youth used a walking stick of the kind used by the blind people, and held a book in which recommendation and signatures of various people had been written in different inks. A certificate in his possession, issued in the name of M M Joshi Eye Hospital, Gokul Road, Hosur, Hubli, said that he was blind, and in need of surgery.

The youth had approached educational institutions, shops and bus stand on Monday and Tuesday, seeking help. His collection is thought to have exceeded Rs 25,000. On Wednesday, a local person, Santosh, who knew about the donation collection spree of the youth, saw the man reading a newspaper near Ananthashayana here, and questioned him. The youth ran away from Santosh, who tried to chase him.

Some people, after some time, saw the same youth reading a newspaper near the bus stand. They questioned him and beat him up. The youth ran away from there, and escaped from the fury of the people.