One of the accused was known as ‘Mastermind’ in his college for his brilliance

The greed to possess expensive headphones drove two engineering and three diploma students in city, four of them 19-year-old and a minor, to commit crime at a young age.

The accused have been identified as Sanath (19), a resident of Old Kesare; Owaiz Khan (19), a resident of Rajiv Nagar 2nd Stage, both students of civil engineering at two prestigious engineering colleges in city, Ismail Khan (19) and Mohammad Syed Saifullah (19), both residents of Lakshar Mohalla. The other accused is a 16-year-old minor and all the three are diploma students. While the minor has been sent to remand home, the other accused have been arrested.

Sanath, one of the accused, is said to have been given the nick name ‘Mastermind’ by his classmates as he is a  brilliant student.

The Police said that all the five accused were involved in a dacoity case reported on Feb. 5 during which they had allegedly sprayed chilli powder on a delivery boy and a driver from an e-commerce company and made away with head-  phones worth Rs. 20,000. Sanath, using fake documents, had bought a SIM card bearing number 99002-96321 through which he had ordered two    headphones.

On Feb.5, Mahesh, the delivery boy, had called Sanath to inform him that the headphones were ready for delivery and asked for the address. Sanath informed Mahesh to come near Devegowda Circle on Bannur Road and call him. After arriving at Devegowda Circle, Mahesh called Sanath and he was asked to come a little further to a deserted house where all the five accused were waiting in a red-colour Tata Indica Car (KA-51-M-5253) which belonged to O.S. Khan, one of  the accused.

Mahesh, accompanied by his driver Ramakrishna, arrived at the spot and delivered the headphones. At this point, Sanath asked Mahesh to open the parcel. Mahesh told Sanath that the parcel could not be opened until the payment was made. He asked them to pay through debit or credit card if they had no cash. While one of the five accused pretended to take out his debit/ credit card, the others sprayed chilli powder on Mahesh and Ramakrishna.  The accused then fled with the headphones.

A case was registered at Mysuru Rural South Police Station the same day under IPC Section 392 (robbery). A team, headed by Dy.SP Vikram Amte, was formed to investigate the case and the accused were cornered on Feb. 21 at around 8.30 am near Bannur Road. Later the case was converted under IPC section 395 (dacoity).

Mysuru South Circle Inspector Jagadeesh, SIs D.B. Jayaprakash and Rajappa, staff Harish, Zahoor Ahmed, Manjunath and others took part in the operation.