Two sand boas, ‘Nagamani’ seized near Iskcon Temple

City police seized two sand boas, a so-called ‘Nagamani’ or a snake-stone and antiques from three men trying to sell them.

Pyarubayi, (57), from Hiriyur town in Chitradurga district, Shivanna and Krishnappa from Tumakuru, were arrested in two different cases.

Mahalakshmi Layout police arrested Pyarubayi, a scrap dealer, while he was waiting near the ISKCON Temple in his car, trying to sell potential buyers the ‘nagamani’, claiming it as ‘original’.

Police rushed to the spot and took him under custody. Pyarubai was found with a ‘nagamani’ along with a huge copper plate and a mug. Investigations are on to ascertain how he got hold of these items.

Police are consulting the archaeological department to date the copper plate and mug, to know which era they belonged to, as the accused said that it was a gift from a swami.

According to Pyarubai’s pitch to potential buyers, if kept at homes, these items will make one rich and all problems would be resolved. He was apparently demanding
Rs 2 crore.

In another incident, accused Shivanna and Krishnappa were trying to sell two snakes — sand boas — at the APMC vegetable market. Police got a tip-off and rushed to the spot. They arrested the duo and handed over the sand boas to the Bannerghatta Rehabilitation Centre.