Mangaluru: In a dramatic incident that unfolded like a scene from a crime thriller, a group of fraudsters allegedly hijacked a lorry by misleading its driver with claims of a court warrant. The incident occurred on the outskirts of the city on Friday, leaving both the victim and the public shocked by the audacity and planning involved in the crime.
The victim is a driver employed with Navadurga Food Product Company. According to the police complaint, the sequence of events began on November 16, when the company owner instructed the driver to transport a consignment of bread. For this purpose, a lorry was hired from a person identified as Shashikanth. The bread consignments were loaded from Padubidri and transported as planned.
After safely unloading the goods at the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) unit, the driver began his return journey. It was during this return trip that the alleged hijacking took place, marking the beginning of a well-orchestrated act of deception and theft.
Tourist car blocks lorry mid-way
As the driver was proceeding along the road, a tourist car suddenly intercepted and blocked the lorry, forcing it to halt. A youth stepped out of the car and confronted the driver, threatening him and claiming that there was a court order for the seizure of the vehicle.
The driver, taken aback by the sudden confrontation, attempted to clarify the situation. In order to verify the claim, he immediately contacted his logistics supervisor, Somanath, and explained what was happening. This call, however, was allegedly exploited by the accused to further their plan.
Accused gains confidence by impersonation
During the phone call, one of the accused, identified as Rakshit, allegedly snatched the mobile phone from the driver’s hand. Speaking confidently to the supervisor, Rakshit reportedly assured him that they were legally taking possession of Shashikanth’s lorry and that the driver would be sent back safely.
By posing as an authorised person acting on a court directive, the accused managed to gain the trust of both the driver and the logistics supervisor. This false assurance played a crucial role in ensuring that no immediate alarm was raised, allowing the fraudsters to proceed without resistance.
After the call, Rakshit allegedly took away the driver’s mobile phone and instructed him to continue driving the lorry towards Kaikamba. Three other individuals followed them closely in the tourist car, maintaining surveillance and control over the situation.
GPS system disconnected during transit
While en route, the convoy reached the Pilikula Road area in Vamanjoor, where the accused asked the driver to stop the vehicle. At this point, the fraudsters allegedly disconnected the GPS tracking system installed in the lorry, effectively cutting off real-time location monitoring.
This step indicated a clear intention to prevent the vehicle from being traced, highlighting the premeditated nature of the crime. After disabling the GPS system, the accused instructed the driver to continue driving towards Kaikamba via Gurpur.
Throughout this period, the driver remained under constant threat and had no access to his phone or any means to seek help.
Lorry diverted to deserted area
Upon reaching Kaikamba, the lorry was diverted to a deserted location away from public view. At this spot, a Bolero pick-up vehicle was already waiting, suggesting that the operation had been carefully coordinated in advance.
The accused transferred the empty bread trays loaded in the lorry into the Bolero pick-up vehicle. After unloading the trays, they forcibly snatched the keys of the lorry from the driver, effectively taking full control of the vehicle.
The driver was then made to board the Bolero vehicle against his will. The accused abandoned him after some distance and instructed him to return to the company, leaving him stranded and traumatised by the ordeal.
Police case registered, investigation underway
Based on the driver’s complaint, a case has been registered at the Mangaluru Rural police station against Rakshit and his associates. The accused have been booked for allegedly stealing the lorry by falsely claiming to possess a court warrant and impersonating authorised officials.
Police officials stated that preliminary investigations indicate a planned act of cheating and vehicle theft, executed by exploiting the driver’s trust and fear of legal consequences. Efforts are underway to trace the accused, recover the stolen lorry and identify whether the gang is involved in similar incidents elsewhere.
The police are also examining CCTV footage from nearby roads, toll booths and junctions, and are verifying call detail records to track the movement and communication of the accused during the incident.
Conclusion
The incident has sparked concern among transport operators and the general public, as it highlights a new and dangerous modus operandi being adopted by criminals. By misusing the authority associated with court orders and legal enforcement, fraudsters are able to deceive drivers and commit serious crimes without immediate suspicion.
Police have urged lorry drivers, transport companies and the public to remain alert and verify any claims of legal seizure through official channels before cooperating. Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against those involved, and that such acts of impersonation and fraud will not be tolerated.