Mangalore, September 17: B N Sathish, senior Manager, IVRCL Infrastructures and Project Ltd, said in a press meet held here on Friday, September 17 that workers of the ruling party in Karnataka is behind the kidnapping of Rajeswarachary, Deputy Manager, IVRCL. He was kidnapped when he had come to submit the tender documents pertaining to MSEZL river water pipeline Conveyance System (contract package number SEZL/WS/MS/01) on August 16.
Addressing media persons in Mangalore, Sathish said that IVRCL was one among the ten bidders, who had to submit their tender documents on August 16. Rajeswarachary, Deputy Manager of IVRCL, had reached Mangalore early morning of August 16 and checked in at Hotel Kavitha Residency, opposite to MUDA / MSEZ office, at Urwa Store, Mangalore. He walked in at the MSEZ office at 10.30 and registered for the Tender presentation. A MSEZ official and four others approached him and asked for his quote and cost details. They wanted him to join their ‘carter deal’ and go away without submitting the tender. When he refused to oblige their demand, they threatened him point blank and took him out of the MSEZ premises by force. They took him in a black Maruti Alto car and roamed around Surathkal, Kateel and reached Mangalore in the evening.
IVRCL officials: Ranganath, B.N. Sathish and Rajeswarachary
Narrating the unfortunate incident, which he had faced for the first time in his life, Rajeswarachary said that he reached the office of MSEZ located at Urwa and registered his name, mobile number and company name on August 16th morning. After the registration, he came out from the office with a cover containing tender documents in his hand. Some miscreants had snatched his bag and run to the elevator. Two persons standing inside the elevator had ordered him to go away without submitting the documents, while he was chasing the document snatcher. When he refused to do so, they held his hand and pulled him into the lift and took him along with them. Meanwhile he tried to escape from the hands of abductors grip but they pushed him to the car parked outside the MSEZ office building.
He was made to sit in the car preventing him to make any calls. They roamed around Suratkal, Mulki and Kateel in a black Maruti Alto car bearing number KA 19 P8308. They brought him to a the hotel near Alukkas Jewellery by around 3.00 pm.
During the captivity, they abused him and were getting continues feedback from MSEZL office on what was happening. This means that there is a person from MSEZL, who is leaking the information to the abductors.
Rajeswarachary heard one of the kidnaper addressing the person at MSEZ as Divakar or Sudhakar.
On the way, there were lots of names being spoken by the abductors, who were speaking in Tulu and Kannada. Some of the names being spoken were: Srikar, Sharan, Sachin and Subbaraju. They were even mentioning that the price bids will be opened before 24th August. All the persons, involved in the kidnapping can be identified by victim said Rajjeswarachary.
At around 3.00pm on 16th August, the company got a call from Rajeswarachary’s own mobile bearing number 98862 48727. The person spoke to them was saying that they are holding him in captivity and will not allow him to submit the tender, come what may.
Finally, Rajeswarachary was taken in a Honda Activa Scooter to the Sugama Bus office and one of the abductors collected his luggage and belongings from Kavita Residency along with checkout receipt. He was brought back to Bangalore by the abductors. His mobile was switched off till 17th morning.
When the journalists raised question regarding the delay in calling the press meet (after a month), Sathish said that the company (IVRCL) registered a complaint at Burke Police station on August 16. The police have not taken any action till date.
He further stated ‘we have met Mangalore City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Sing today (Friday,September 17) and asked for the status of investigation. We, even, have mentioned about the car number and mobile number to trace the culprits. But the commissioner has not given any assurances as off by saying the car and mobile number is a part of investigation’ he added.
Ranganath, H R administrative officer, IVRCL, was also present on the occasion.
PS.
Mangalore Today has observed during press conference, two unknown persons (Not members of any Media) collecting the press release at the venue. One of them is identified as Manoj Sarippalla, a noted member of the Hindu Yuva Sene. The IVRCL officials left the venue in a hurry fearing attack.