JOIN USShankar Poojary, a resident of Basrur in Kundapur taluk, is said to be serving in a prison in Kuwait.
Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis told DH that an emergency NRI cell meeting was held, wherein superintendent of police, social activist Ravindranath Shanbhag, some NRIs and the family members of Poojary were present.
“An attempt is made to contact the External Affairs Ministry and receive information on the case. Currently, only the family’s version of the story is known, and there is no documentary evidence to prove the allegation against him. The district administration cannot proceed and take action until and unless complete details on the detention is procured,” she added.
Human Rights Protection Foundation (HRPF) Ravindranath Shanbhag said that the issue seems to be more complicated and requires time to understand the problem. Poojary seems to be framed and is in great trouble. There is also additional information which cannot be disclosed as there are major possibilities of the culprits fleeing away. There is a need for a thorough investigation, he said.
Poojary, who works at a firm in Kuwait, had come down to Kundapur for ten days leave, three months ago. On his way back, he was carrying a parcel for a friend of a friend which was to be delivered to one of their relatives in Kuwait. Once Poojary landed at the Kuwait airport, he was arrested during the immigration process as the parcel contained some tablets to be delivered and those who approached Poojary seeking help in carrying the parcel to Kuwait declined to have contacted Poojary.