11 among arrested are from Bhadravati in Shivamogga

Madikeri: While it is unfortunately not uncommon for political leaders from different parties during election rallies to engage in mudslinging and accuse each other of being thieves and pickpockets, the situation took an ironic turn for certain BJP leaders in Kodagu. At recent rallies held in Madikeri and Kushalnagar, these leaders found themselves victims of actual pickpocketing.

The Kodagu District Police have arrested 13 persons on charges of pickpocketing at rallies held in Kushalnagar and Madikeri on Mar. 27. Among their victims were two former MLAs, whose cash and wallets were stolen.

The arrested individuals include 38-year-old Jayanna, also known as Kirik Jaya, 39-year-old Puttaraju, alias Putta, 43-year-old C. Nagaraj, alias Kothi Kiccha, 44-year-old R. Venkatesh, 43-year-old Ramu, alias Kulla Ramu, 36-year-old K. Umesh, 53-year-old Jayanna, alias Dodda Jayanna, 50-year-old Bojappa, alias Boja, 48-year-old Mehaboob Subhan, 31-year-old D. Girish and 35-year-old Balu, all hailing from Bhadravati in Shivamogga.

Additionally, 35-year-old Harish from Hebbugodi in Bengaluru and 50-year-old Ranganna, alias Ranga, from Nelamangala were also arrested.

The Police have managed to recover Rs. 65,960 in cash out of the Rs. 1,96,300 that was stolen. They also seized 12 mobile phones and two cars believed to have been used in the crimes. All the accused have been remanded to judicial custody.

On Mar. 27, a meeting of BJP party workers was convened in Kushalnagar and Madikeri, attracting a large crowd. Seizing the opportunity during the event in Kushalnagar, pickpockets managed to steal Rs. 17,000 from the pocket of former Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, Rs. 32,000 from M.M. Charan of Indira Layout in Kushalnagar, Rs. 50,000 from D.H. Chandrashekar and Rs. 15,000 from H. Mani.

Similarly, during the meeting held at a private hotel in Madikeri, pickpockets stole Rs. 50,000 from Rangasamudra’s H.S. Nitin and Rs. 32,000 from Yogesh of Virajpet. Overall, the pickpockets managed to steal a total of Rs. 1,96,300 at the two locations.

Following these incidents, three separate cases were registered, prompting the Police to take action. They gathered footage from CCTV cameras installed in the private hotel, collected technical information, and subsequently arrested 13 pickpockets.

Kushalnagar Deputy Superintendent of Police R.V. Gangadharappa, Circle Inspector B. Prakash, Station House Officer B.S. Uma and their team were instrumental in apprehending the suspects, recovering stolen money and collecting evidence.