In a filmy style action, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police yesterday afternoon foiled a bid by a group of local miscreants to swindle Rs. 20 lakh from a jeweller from Bangalore, after luring him with offers of getting gold at a much lower rate.

ASI Sampath Shetty of Lakshmipuram Police Station, who noticed a skirmish near Gopalaswamy Shishuvihara on Narayana Shastry Road in city, managed to nab Hemanth Kumar alias Bond, son of Mahadevappa, residing at #46, 5th cross, Muniswami Nagar near J.P. Nagar in city and recovered Rs. 19.5 lakh from him. Since a group of curious onlookers had gathered at the spot, four others of the gang managed to escape in the melee.

It is reported that a five-member group comprising one Fazal of Kundapura had lured Santhosh, a jeweller from Rajajinagar in Bangalore. They first approached Santhosh’s uncle Gururaj Bhat in Mysore, offering him gold at a price much below the market price. Bhat spoke to Santhosh over phone about the tempting offer. A date and place was agreed upon to exchange money for the gold.

Tempted by the offer, Santhosh brought Rs. 20 lakh in a bag, travelling in a Maruti Wagon-R car (KA-04, MK-206) along with his wife Archana, their child, brother Ravindra and uncle Gururaj Bhat, who was well acquainted with Mysore.

As the car approached Gopalaswamy Shishuvihara at around 4 pm, a group of five persons including Fazal reportedly stopped the car and handed over a box saying that it contained gold. They then snatched the cash bag from Santhosh.

Santhosh, who had reportedly pledged his family jewels for Rs.19.5 lakh at Federal Bank in Rajajinagar, got suspicious by the group’s behaviour and demanded to return his cash bag. An argument ensued between him and the gang which drew the attention of passersby who gathered at the scene.

Meanwhile, ASI Sampath Shetty, who was on patrol in the vicinity, noticed the crowd and reached the spot. He tried to nab the gang, but could only apprehend Hemanth Kumar. Four others managed to escape.

On interrogation, Hemanth is said to have confessed that there was no gold with them and that they had lured Santhosh only to swindle him. Lakshmipuram Inspector Suryanarayana Rao has registered a case.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore