Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 19: In a major breakthrough, the CCB police arrested five individuals from Pune on August 18 in connection with the sensational kidnapping and gold loot case involving a Kerala-based trader in Mangaluru.
DCP (Law and Order) Mithun informed media that the accused were produced before the court and have been remanded to police custody.
DCP (Crime and Traffic) Ravi Shankar, ACP Prathap Singh Thorat, and ACP Vijaya Kranthi were also present.
The incident came to light on August 16 when Srihari, a jewellery shop owner from Kerala, was kidnapped and robbed of 350 grams of gold worth nearly Rs 35 lac. Srihari had arrived at Mangaluru Central railway station by train and was waiting for an auto-rickshaw near Kairali Hotel when a gang in an Innova car approached him, posing as customs officials.
When he resisted, he was forcibly pushed into the car. The gang drove him through Udupi towards Kumta–Sirsi, where they looted the gold before abandoning him at Antravalli village in Sirsi. Srihari later returned to Mangaluru and lodged a complaint at Pandeshwar police station.
Police had suspected insider involvement as the culprits seemed aware of Srihari’s movements. The gang had also used a BH registration vehicle, raising questions about whether the number plate was genuine or fake.
Following swift investigation, the CCB police team tracked down the accused to Pune and arrested them on August 18. The arrested individuals are now in custody, and further interrogation is expected to reveal more details about the conspiracy and the role of insiders.