Former mayor arrested for involvement in illegal gold excavation

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 15, 2011 : Purandaradasa Kuloor, the former mayor of Mangalore City Corporation (MCC), was arrested in Jagalur, Devanagere on Oct 14 Friday because of alleged involvement in illegal gold excavation.

 

The police have also arrested Abdul Rahman, Mohammed, Jabir, Ponnappa, Siddique, Padmanabha Bhat, Rajesh Shetty, Mahantesh, Basavaraj, and Rangappa.

The team arrived at Chowdamma Temple in Tarehalli in Ranga Durga Reserve Forest area to find a gold mine in the area. There were a total of 15 people in the team, but four of them managed to escape.

A Bilichodu police team received a tip off from the villagers and rushed to the spot at 3:00 a.m. to find them digging. The police arrested all of them including Mr. Kuloor, the former mayor of Mangalore. The police have also confiscated two cars worth Rs. 5 lakh each and 2 motorbikes. The gang has been charged with damaging government property, digging holes illegally, and destroying crops.

Purandaradasa Kuloor, who was the mayor of MCC in 2004, had also served in the police force before becoming a politician.

The accused have been produced in court.