Daijiworld Media Network – Chikmagalur (SP)

Chikmagalur, May 6: An accused, who is charged with rigging a hole into the underground pipeline of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and siphoning off diesel worth several crore rupees, has been arrested. A special investigation team formed for the purpose, succeeded in nabbing him.

The arrest of the accused, Raju Shetty, a native of Kidugodalu village near Belur, was made by Kadur station sub-inspector, Ramesh, and Yagati station sub-inspector, Rane, from Bangalore on Wednesday May 4.

Shetty was produced in Moodigere court on Thrusday May 6. He was remanded for a week’s police custody by the court, at the request of the policemen. Deputy superintendent of police, Vedamurty, who is spearheading investigation in this case, was present.

A gang led by Raju Shetty reportedly drilled a hole into the said pipeline, which is used to pumping petroleum products from Mangalore to Bangalore, and pilfered diesel for a number of weeks. Some estimates put the value of diesel so taken out, at Rs 75 crore.