Accepting buttermilk from fellow passengers on the Mangala Lakshadweep Nizamuddin Express train proved costly for Udupi Railway Yathrikara Sangha Treasurer Ramachandra Acharya and his sister.
After consuming the buttermilk spiked with sedatives, Ramachandra Acharya, 60, of Kinni Mulki and Radhamma, 75, of Karkala fell unconscious and were looted of valuables.
It is said Ramachandra Acharya along with his sisters Seema Rao, Radhamma and Tulasi Upadhya had left for Nasik on October 7 for vaikunta samaradhana of his brother-in-law and were returning to Udupi on October 11.
Two unknown persons who were travelling in the same bogie befriended Radhamma and Acharya and introduced themselves as cloth merchants from Delhi travelling to Kerala. Ramachandra had offered eatables to the unknown persons on the train. Later, they offered buttermilk to Ramachandra Acharya and Radhamma. “Initially, we declined the offer, but the men insisted that we share their food. After we fell unconscious, they have taken away the valuables,” said Acharya,
The men had taken away Rs 15,000 from the purse of Acharya, Rs 15,000 from his pant pocket, Rs 15,000 from Radhamma, two finger rings, one gold chain, a pair of earring and new clothes from the possession of Radhamma.
Ramachandra woke up only when the train reached Kundapura and then realised that they were looted by the duo and informed his two other sisters, who were in another compartment of the train.
Radhamma did not wake up till Udupi Railway Station. Later, with the help of two other passengers, Railway police were informed of the incident. The duo were later admitted to a hospital in Udupi on Friday and were discharged on Saturday.
