Ten thieves, including Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala project office staff, who stole Rs 1.24 cr, arrested

DHARWAD: The Vidyagiri police have succeeded in arresting 10 thieves, including three members of the Dharmasthala organisation, in connection with the theft of cash Rs 1.24 crore from the regional office of the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project office at Rayapur Layout, on the outskirts of the city.

The theft took place on October 24 at the regional office of SKDRP in Rayapur. The thieves decamped with Rs 1.24 crore after breaking into four lockers in the office. All business and office work related to Dharwad district takes place at the office, but no CCTV cameras were installed there.

On that day, the thieves gained entry by breaking a window in the office toilet and stole all the money by breaking the four lockers. This institution belongs to Dr Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Sri Kshetra. Moreover, all the money that was stolen was collected from self-help groups of different villages. A case has been registered at Vidyagiri police station and the police suspected that someone who was in the organisation was involved in the theft case. Following their investigation, the police arrested ten people.

The Commissioner of Police had formed a special investigation team. The arrested include Kushalakumar Krishna Savanur of Hubballi, Basavaraja Shekhappa Babaji of Navalgund, Jilani Bhavasarsab Jamadar and Parashurama Hanamantappa Neelappa Goudar, Mahantesh Lakshmana Hiragannavar, Rangappa Nagappa Gudarada, Manjunath Yamanappa Bhovi, Kiran Sharanappa Kambara, Razak Ahmad, Allauddin Mullanavar, and Veeresh Siddappa Chavadi.

The police seized Rs 79.89 lakh in cash, a car, two bikes, and four mobiles used for theft. Kushalakumar, Basavaraj and Mahantesh are employed with the organisation. Together, the three had planned the theft meticulously and had got the task executed by a gang of thieves from Navalgund. Armed with all the information, the gang they came and stole the cash easily.