Udupi:  A group of unidentified robbers reportedly abducted seven fishermen who were returning from a fishing trip in a boat, looting fish and diesel worth lakhs from their vessel. The incident prompted a case to be filed at the Malpe police station.

In his complaint to the police, Chetan Salian (42), a resident of Kodavoor grama, Malpe, detailed that Nagaraj Harikant, Nagaraj H, Harikant, Arun Harikant Ankola, Ashok Kumata, Karthik Harikant Monkey, Chandrakanth Harikant Uppunda, and Subrahmanya Kharvi had embarked on a deep-sea fishing expedition aboard the Lailan boat named Krishnanandana on February 19.

According to Salian, Nagaraja Harikant contacted them on the morning of February 27, informing that they would return to Malpe either on the night of February 26 or February 27, carrying fish valued at lakhs. He recounted that as the boat's net became entangled with the boat fan, it came to a halt. Subsequently, approximately 25 assailants ambushed them, forcibly towing the boat ashore. Salian reported that the attackers abducted them and plundered about Rs 8 lakhs worth of fish and 7,500 liters of diesel valued at Rs. 5,76,700 that was stored in the vessel. The fishermen were taken captive by the assailants, causing significant financial losses.

The Malpe police station has filed a case under sections 395, 365, 342, and section 149, highlighting the kidnappers' actions leading to substantial losses and the fishermen being held hostage, enduring mental and physical torment.