Udupi: Udupi Town police have arrested two men for allegedly robbing a 74-year-old woman of her gold chain after entering her house under the pretext of seeking information related to the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.The incident occurred around 3.47pm on Oct 7, when the duo allegedly approached Shantha Karanth, who lives alone, claiming they needed information regarding the SIR exercise. When she went inside to consult her son before signing a document brought by them, the accused allegedly entered the house, pushed her to the ground and forcibly snatched her 30g gold chain before fleeing. The bead-studded chain is valued around Rs 4 lakh.Based on a complaint filed by her son, Srinivas Karanth, Udupi police registered a case under sections 309(4) and 3(5) of the BNS.A team, led by Udupi Town police inspector Mahesh Prasad, launched an investigation and arrested the accused, Vadiraj Ganiga,44, of Nittoor in Puttur village, Udupi taluk, and Sachin Poojary,30, of Padu village in Kaup taluk, at Manipal’s Mannapalla on Saturday.During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime and disclosed that they had pledged the stolen chain at a cooperative society in Manipal.Police seized a 34g gold chain valued at Rs 4.5 lakh, an electric scooter worth Rs 90,000, allegedly used in the crime, and two cellphones valued at Rs 13,000. The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs 5.5 lakh.The accused were produced before a court and remanded in 14 days of judicial custody.Police said the Vadiraj was a neighbour of the complainant and had borrowed substantial sums from her and others. Sachin had also incurred debts. The duo allegedly committed the robbery to repay their debts and fund an extravagant lifestyle.The operation was carried out under the direction of Udupi SP Hariram Shankar, with guidance from additional SP Sudhakar Naik and Udupi subdivision DSP Belliappa.
