Mangaluru: Clerk flees with 6.5 kg gold, cash from Padavu Co-op Society; Congress demands probe, compensation

Mangaluru: Clerk flees with 6.5 kg gold, cash from Padavu Co-op Society; Congress demands probe, compensation

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 17, 2025: Dakshina Kannada District Congress Cooperative Committee President Sudarshan Jain has urged the police and the Cooperative Department to conduct a thorough investigation into the case where a clerk absconded with 6.5 kg of gold and cash from the Padavu Agricultural Cooperative Society branch in Shaktinagar.

Addressing a press conference at the DK District Congress office, he pointed out that even though it has been a month since the incident, the affected members have not yet received any compensation. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the management to protect the interests of customers who had trusted the society and pledged their gold.

Jain warned that such embezzlement and daylight robbery within cooperative societies could erode public trust and confidence. If people lose faith in these institutions and begin to withdraw their savings and pledged gold, the future of many cooperative societies in Dakshina Kannada could be in jeopardy.

He demanded that the management committee and CEO ensure compensation is provided within 15 days to those affected by the fraud at the Padavu Cooperative Society.

Former vice president of the society, Sudhakar Jogi, alleged that not only the absconding clerk but also branch managers who failed in their duties and allowed misuse of gold and deposits belonging to the poor and middle class should be held accountable. He also claimed that a female staff member was involved in the incident.