Mysore/Mysuru: Ashokapuram Police have arrested the driver of a goods auto for illegally transporting 314-kg rice and 287-kg ragi meant for public distribution and have launched a hunt to nab another person involved in the illegal transportation.

The arrested goods auto driver is 33-year-old Kashif Pasha of Sunnadakeri and the Cops are on a look out for Irfan of Mandi Mohalla, who has gone absconding.

On Oct. 15 at about 2.30 pm, when Ashokapuram Sub-Inspector Vyshali and staff were conducting checking of vehicles near Jayanagar Railway Gate, they intercepted a goods auto (KA-09-B-0345) and inspected the auto during which the Police found 314-kg rice and 287-kg ragi sacks, which were to be distributed to the poor through Fair Price Shops.

Sub-Inspector Vyshali then informed about PDS rice and ragi being transported illegally in a goods auto to Khille Mohalla Food Inspector J. Rathnamma and also told the Food Inspector that she, along with her staff, had intercepted the goods auto near Jayanagar Railway Gate.

Rathnamma, who reached the spot, enquired the auto driver, who reportedly told her (Rathnamma) that the rice and ragi belonged to one Irfan of Mandi Mohalla, who had hired the goods auto to transport rice and ragi to Jayanagar.

Based on the complaint from Rathnamma, Ashokapuram Police, who registered a case, arrested the auto driver, seized the rice and ragi sacks besides launching a hunt to nab Irfan, who is absconding.