The arrested has been identified as Nagaraja Balegara (18), a resident of Baikadi in Brahmavar. The police also confiscated gold ornaments worth Rs 1.05 lakh from him. Balegara reportedly have confessed that he had committed robbery in Kumta, Shimoga, Mangalore and Udupi with the help of his accomplices Muthappa alias Suresha (27), Sudarshana Balegara (25) of Baikadi and Santhosh Balegara of Madikeri. Theft cases are pending against him at various police stations in Kerala and Tamilnadu.
The miscreants had gained entry into the house belonging to Dr P C Sudhakar near Kota Lions Eye Hospital in Kota and stolen 80 grams of gold ornaments. In anothr case, they had broke open the windows of the house of one K Srinivas Aithal in Udupi and stolen 24 grams of gold ornaments.
Child’s photo
Though the DCIB cops had arrested Nagaraja, who is now18 year-old, the photo released was taken when he was 12 year-old.
Surathkal police had taken the photograph of Nagaraja holding a slate, which carries details of an old crime booked against him, when he was 12 year-old, which is a violation of law. As per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2000, police cannot take photograph of children below 14 years, even if he or she is an accused in a case.
Kidnap bid foiled
The court has awarded 15 days’ judicial custody to a youth, who made a futile attempt to kidnap a school-girl while she was walking from the school at Balenja to her house, on Thursday.
The accused Prashanth (22) of Marodi village, who came in a bike, had tried to kidnap the girl on Wednesday. However, he failed to lift the girl as villagers rushed after hearing her friends’ scream. Later, they handed over him to police.
DH News Service