Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 7: In an amusing incident reported at Mulky, a man who claimed to have been robbed of money has ended up being the accused in the same case, and what's more, police also found out that his accomplices who were supposed to help him steal had actually conspired to rob him!

Taufeeq and Nisar

The Mulky police had received a robbery complaint from Mohammed Peer Sab (40), a truck driver and resident of Kankere Road in Sorab, Shimoga district on March 30 this year. Peer had said that two unidentified persons had stopped the empty truck he was driving back after disposing off consignment of fish in Kerala, on national highway 66 near Pavanje here, and robbed Rs 2.67 lac, which he said was the sale proceeds of the fish, from his possession.

The truck owner, however, had grown suspicious about the version of the story as told by the driver, and had asked the police to concentrate their investigation on the driver, who he thought, was lying.

The police, who investigated the case, have now found that the complainant himself was indeed the swindler of money. His role has therefore been changed from the complainant to the accused.

Relating to the case, Muhammed Taufeeq (24) from Brahmavar, Udupi district, and Muhammed Nisar (22) from Janata Colony, Kana Katla near Suratkal, were arrested on Sunday April 6.

Here's what happened. Peer Sab, while bringing back the truck to Malpe along with the sale proceeds of the fish from Thalassery and Kannur in Kerala, had contacted his friend, Taufeeq, for the specific purpose of stealing diesel from the truck and making some money. Taufeeq, working out a plan with his friend, Nisar,  had planned to intercept the truck near Kulai, drive the truck to a secluded spot at Borugudde near Tokur, and siphon off diesel from the truck’s tank.

When they were engaged in removing diesel, two unidentified youth came on a motor bike, assaulted all the three, and sped away with the money, and also a purse belonging to Peer, his ATM card and cell phone. The driver, without giving these details, just told the police that two persons who came in car, had robbed him near Pavanje. The police, who got information through some sources about the activities of the driver, put him through intensive interrogation, and succeeded in getting to the root of the story.

That's not all. The 'unidentified' youth who assaulted and robbed all three were actually accomplices of Taufeeq and Nisar. After agreeing to help Peer steal diesel from the truck, they had succeeded in hatching a plan to rob the money Peer had with him. As per the information provided by Taufeeq and Nisar, both of whom have been arrested, the police are trying to arrest Niaz from Krishnapura and Sanu from Janata Colony, who had looted cash from the driver’s possession, and who have fled from their homes.

Out of the looted amount, the police have succeeded in recovering Rs 2.17 lac in cash, a motor bike, ATM card, purse, diesel pipe, and cans. The accused were produced before the judge of the local court at his residence on Sunday. The accused have been remanded in 15 days judicial custody.

Mulky police circle inspector, Ramachandra Nayak, and other personnel were involved the investigation. The police continue to investigate the case further.