Woman loses valuable for 'pension'

Gowramma, aged 65, a native of Chikkaiahana Chatra in Nanjangud taluk was waiting for bus at KSRTC City Bus Stand on Sayyaji Rao Road around 9 am. She had just arrived from her native to visit her son’s place at Vijayanagar.

A stranger approached her and asked if she had availed senior citizen’s pension. Gowramma, who was rather taken aback by a total stranger asking about this detail, replied in negative. But, the stranger played the emtional card and said ‘you are like my grandmother, and she is entitled for pension. Apply and you will get some money’.

He took Gowramma to the first floor of the bus stand building and asked her politely to hand over the chain she was wearing. His reason was that he had to convince the authorities concerned to get some money, and a share of ` 1,000 for himself. Gowramma who allegedly obliged removed her chain and gave it to him.

The man who took the chain disappeared. Gowramma who waited for him for a few minutes was panicked to learn that she had been taken for a ride. Following her complaint Devaraja Police arrived on the spot and also scanned the vicinity. Acting on the descriptions of that man given by Gowramma cops came across a person, but to no avail.

Leopard pelt seized

Forest officers have arrested three persons and have recovered a leopard pelt on Thursday.

Those arrested have been identified as Dwarki of Sargur, Madhu of Nanjangud, Raghavendra of Mysore, Onkarappa and Somashekar of Dadadahalli. They were produced before a court on Friday and remanded in judicial custody.

The first three accused had been smuggling the skin on a motorcycle when they were apprehended near Sargur in H D Kote around 11.30 pm. During interrogation they revealed that they bought the pelt from Rajesh of Dadadahalli.

Rajesh along with his accomplices Somashekar and Ranganayaka had hunted down the animal using an unlicensed gun at a field near his village, coming under Yediyala Forest Sub-division. Somashekar who was also arrested later led the officers to a spot where they had buried the pelt. Rajesh and Ranganayaka are absconding.