Udupi, Sep 29: U R Sabhapathi, working chairman of All India Fishermen Congress and former MLA and is subjected to cheque bounce case of  Rs 3 lac, alleged by Chikka Manchayya, district president of Congress Fishermen wing, Mandya on Tuesday, September 29.

Speaking to media persons at the press club in Udupi, Manchayya said, “Sabhapathi is acquainted with me through the state Congress Fishermen wing president Lingaraju. About a year and a half ago, he had come to my home and stated that his cheque had bounced and said that he is in need of money immediately. He went on to say that it is a question of self-respect and continued to plead so that I arrange money for him.”

“At that time I did not have money to give him. So he suggested that I arrange the amount from someone else and promised that he would pay back the amount on time. Trusting him, I arranged Rs 3 lac from a friend at 3% interest. Sabhapati promised that he would return the money in 15 days, however, there was no sign of the money even after three months,” Manchayya said.

“Finally he gave me a cheque in September last year which bore the date October 30, but that cheque bounced. After four months Sabhapathi paid Rs 50,000 in cash, while Rs 1.5 lac is still pending. He was visibly upset to pay back the amount. I have tried reaching out to him via phone and also visited his home, but I have not been able to talk to him. Now my family is in trouble and we are facing financial problems. I have no hope of receiving the money back, he will surely cheat me,” Manchayya rued.

U R Sabhapathi issues clarification

“I have already paid Rs 1 lac through the bank to the concerned and will be paying the remaining Rs 2 lac by the end of November and the rest Rs 1 lac by the end of December. I think it is quite wrong to accuse and that too at a press conference for political malice,” Sabhapathi said.