Udupi: Couple arrested for alleged Rs 23 lakh fraud

Udupi: Couple arrested for alleged Rs 23 lakh fraud

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, July 6, 2026: The Hiriyadka Police have arrested a couple for allegedly misappropriating nearly ₹23 lakh belonging to the Perdoor Padma Kamala Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation and several self-help groups.

The accused have been identified as Sugandhi, the federation’s former chief bookkeeper, and her husband, Santosh.

Fraud allegedly committed over two years

According to the police, Sugandhi allegedly committed the fraud while serving as the federation’s chief bookkeeper between 2023 and 2025.

Investigators said she recorded loan repayments made by various self-help groups in the federation’s register but allegedly failed to deposit the money into its official bank account, instead retaining the funds for personal use.

Police further alleged that she forged the signatures of the federation’s president and secretary to withdraw money from the bank using forged cheques. To conceal the fraud during audits and executive committee inspections, she allegedly maintained fake loan account records for members.

The investigation revealed that the couple allegedly breached the trust placed in them and misappropriated approximately ₹23 lakh for their personal use.

Case registered, couple arrested

A case has been registered at the Hiriyadka Police Station under Crime No. 39/2026 for offences punishable under Sections 316(4), 318, 336(3), and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Acting on the directions of Udupi Sub-Divisional Police Officer Belliyappa K.U. and under the guidance of senior officers, a police team led by PSI Puneeth Kumar B.E., PSI (Investigation) Vitthal Malawadkar, and other personnel apprehended the accused on July 6.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the couple allegedly forged the signatures of several federation members and created fake documents to facilitate the fraud. Further investigation is underway.