Cops arrest duo for blackmailing Kollur Temple Chief Priest’s wife

Cops arrest duo for blackmailing Kollur Temple Chief Priest’s wife

Mangalore Today News Network

 Kundapur, Mar 4, 2014:  Kollur police have arrested two persons who were blackmailing o the wife of the Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple Chief Priest by making threatening calls stating that they would kill the couple’s son. The arrests were made on March 3, Monday.

The Chief Priest K Manjunatha Adiga’s wife lodged a complaint with the police stating that she was receiving anonymous threatening calls since five days wherein the caller demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakhs failing which he would kill her son Nityanand Adiga. It is learnt the caller used to identify himself as Harish Reddy. The chief priest’s son is studying Vedas in Mysore.

 Following the complaint the Kollur police hatched a plan when the accused once again telephoned Mangalamma on March 2, Sunday and demanded Rs 10 lakhs as advance on Monday. They also asked her to place the cash in a vehicle which will be parked near the Mastikatte welcome arch enroute the temple on Monday evening.

The police asked Mangalamma to  follow the instructions and  kept a close watch  in the area and arrested the two accused who soon arrived to take the cash kept in the  Qualis vehicle’s dicky. Those arrested are Mohan Mogaveera and Shanker. The main accused Harish Reddy is however absconding and a search for him is underway.

Meanwhile, Kollur Temple Management Committee President Krishnaprasad Adyantaya  said the incident has caused anxiety among devotees and urged for an impartial probe into the case and arrest of all the accused.