Mangaluru: Hotelier Prabhakar Poonja of Poonja International passes away

Mangaluru: Hotelier Prabhakar Poonja of Poonja International passes away

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 18, 2025: Prabhakar Poonja (72), the well-known owner of Poonja International Hotel in Hampankatta, Mangalore, passed away at a private hospital in the city after a brief illness. He hailed from Bantwal.

Over 40 years ago, Prabhakar Poonja had connections with the underworld in Mumbai, where he worked as a driver for a well-known don. In 1986, he left Mumbai and moved to Mangalore, where he established the Poonja International Hotel. At the time, apart from Moti Mahal, Poonja International stood out as one of the grandest and most luxurious hotels in the city.

Though he had strong ties to Mumbai initially, he later cut those connections and settled permanently in Mangalore. Having moved to Mumbai at a young age, Poonja was not fluent in Kannada and spoke only Hindi, Marathi, and Tulu. He maintained contacts with many senior police officials in both Mumbai and Mangalore.

According to those who knew him, Prabhakar Poonja was a close relative of Sharad Shetty, a prominent Mumbai underworld don from 40 years ago. It was through that connection that he ventured into the hotel business in Mangalore. It is also said that he got married only after relocating to Mangalore. His children now manage the hotel operations.