Mangaluru: A shocking case of robbery was reported near Mangaluru Central Railway Station on Wednesday morning, where a gold bar weighing 350 grams and valued at nearly ₹35 lakh was allegedly looted.
As per the complaint filed by Srihari, a jeweller by profession, the incident occurred around 7 a.m. while he was waiting at the station to board an auto-rickshaw. At that moment, six unidentified men approached him, introducing themselves as customs personnel and demanding that he accompany them for a so-called inspection.
Without giving him a chance to react, the group allegedly forced Srihari into a car. Once inside, the men reportedly took possession of the gold ingot he was carrying. After the theft, the victim was driven away from the city limits and later abandoned near Antravalli village, situated on the Kumta–Sirsi road. The accused then fled from the spot, leaving Srihari stranded.
Following the ordeal, the jeweller immediately reported the matter to the police. Acting on his complaint, Mangaluru South Police registered a case and launched a detailed probe into the incident. Authorities are currently examining all leads, including CCTV footage and possible vehicle details, to trace the culprits.
Incidents like this highlight the growing sophistication of criminal groups, who often impersonate officials to mislead victims. Police have urged the public to remain cautious and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from enforcement agencies before cooperating with such demands.