Beltangady: A former technician of an Indus Mobile Tower is among three persons accused of allegedly stealing around 60 litres of diesel worth approximately Rs 6,000 from a mobile tower in Bandaru village.
Dharmasthala police have registered a case in connection with the alleged theft and taken one of the accused, identified as Dheekshan, into custody for questioning. Further investigation is under way.
The incident reportedly occurred on the night of August 23.
Technician notices three persons near tower
According to the complaint filed by Dinesh K (53), a resident of Kavoor in Mangaluru and security supervisor with Indus Mobile Tower, the alleged theft was noticed by Dixith, who works as a technician at the tower in Bandaru.
Dixith was reportedly inspecting the tower when he noticed three persons near a car parked close to the road.
The trio was allegedly filling diesel into two cans, raising suspicion about the activity.
When Dixith approached the vehicle, the three persons allegedly fled from the spot in the car along with the diesel-filled cans.
Former technician identified among accused
The complaint states that the car used by the accused bore the registration number KA 20 D 7442.
One of the persons who allegedly fled from the spot was identified as Dheekshan, who had previously worked as a technician at the same Indus Mobile Tower.
The complaint alleges that Dheekshan and two others stole approximately 60 litres of diesel, valued at around Rs 6,000, from the tower premises.
The diesel was allegedly transferred into two cans before the accused fled from the location.
Dharmasthala police register case
Based on Dinesh’s complaint, the Dharmasthala police registered a case under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The case has been registered as Crime No. 62/2026.
Police have taken Dheekshan into custody and are questioning him regarding the alleged theft and the involvement of the other two accused.
Efforts are also under way to gather further information about the vehicle and trace the remaining persons allegedly involved in the incident.
Investigation under way
The police are continuing their investigation to establish the sequence of events and recover any evidence related to the alleged diesel theft.
The questioning of the accused is expected to help investigators determine the role of each person and identify the other two individuals who allegedly fled from the spot.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure facilities, including mobile towers, which often depend on diesel for backup power operations.
Police are examining the complaint and other available information as part of the investigation.
Further legal action will depend on the findings of the ongoing probe.