Bantwal: Bantwal Town police have arrested a man from Kerala for allegedly stealing ₹1 lakh in cash from the pocket of a passenger waiting for a bus at BC Road bus stand.
The accused has been identified as Nazir Punnayyar, a native of Thrissur district in Kerala. He was arrested in Mangaluru after police traced him based on a swift investigation.
Cash missing after failed vehicle deal
According to police, the victim, Ranganath Bellala from Kundapura, had travelled to B C Road on August 14 with ₹1.60 lakh in cash after selling his car, intending to purchase another used vehicle. However, the deal fell through due to discrepancies in the documents.
That night, Bellala stayed at a friend’s house in Kaikamba. On the morning of August 15, while waiting at B C Road bus stand to travel to Kottigehara, he carried the cash in his pant pocket. The amount comprised three bundles of ₹50,000 each and one bundle of ₹10,000.
After boarding the bus, Bellala discovered that ₹1 lakh — two bundles of ₹50,000 each — was missing from his pocket. He immediately filed a complaint at Bantwal Town police station.
Police investigation and arrest
Acting on the complaint, a team led by Inspector Anantha Padmanabha launched an investigation and soon identified Nazir as the suspect. He was arrested in Mangaluru and produced before the court.
Police said the case highlights the importance of being vigilant in crowded public spaces such as bus stands, where incidents of pickpocketing and theft are reported from time to time.
The arrest has brought relief to the complainant, while further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused was involved in similar thefts in the region