Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (PS/SP)
Udupi, Aug 7: An aged couple native to Inna in Karkala taluk in the district was given substance mixed with intoxicants during their train journey from Thane near Mumbai to the city on the night of Saturday August 5 by some fraudsters. The couple lost cash and valuables worth four lac rupees in the theft which took place during their train journey before the couple arrived in the city.
Sanjeeva Shetty (61) settled in Thane and his wife, Rathna Shetty (56) had begun their journey by Matsyagandha Express at Thane at around 3.40 pm on Saturday. They had planned to get Rathna treated at Manipal hospital for neurological disorders. It is learnt that Rathna had got treatment at this hospital for this problem for a few weeks during May this year, and had planned to undergo further treatment now. They had boarded the S-2 sleeper coach of the train with cash and gold ornaments.
It is believed that a gang of youngsters who got into the compartment in which the couple was travelling, at Kurla station, were the culprits who drugged the two. The youngsters requested the couple to allow them to occupy window seats and the couple happily obliged, it is said. Reportedly the young men offered juice to Rathna and Sanjeeva Shetty, which they consumed and fell asleep almost immediately. The men are believed to have got down at Sawantwadi railway station in Sidhudurg district, Maharashtra after completing their act.
The couple's close relative, Harish Shetty Kadandale too was travelling by AC comparment of the train from Mumbai. The couple came to know that Harish was travelling by the same train whey they met him at the railway station. When Harish went to the compartment of the couple on Sunday morning to meet them, he found that they were not feeling well. By then the train had crossed Kundapur, and as soon as the train reached the city at 10.30 am, Harish arranged to take the couple to Manipal hospital with assistance of the railway protection force personnel. The couple are not yet in a position to speak because of the influence of drugs.
As per an estimate, the couple were robbed of Rs 50,000 in cash, gold ornaments weighing 65 grams, Rado watch valued at Rs 45,000, cellphones etc.
Sanjeeva has been operating a Paan Beeda shop at Thane. Both his sons too have settled down in Mumbai. A case about this robbery has been filed in Anjani railway station in Maharashtra.
Since last some years, incidents of intoxicating and robbing of people travelling by trains are being reported frequently, and the media and the police have issued repeated warnings against accepting food from strangers during train and bus journeys. The people believe that the railway have not been exercising enough vigilance to protect train travellers of this menace.