Family claims daughter was lured away by a known car driver, alleges ₹10 lakh cheating and delay in probe as case escalates to Police Commissioner
Hubballi: A disturbing missing person case from North Karnataka has resurfaced with serious allegations of abduction, financial fraud, and police inaction, after a mother from Dharwad claimed that her daughter has been missing for nearly two years with no breakthrough in the investigation.
The woman, identified as Tangemma (22), a resident of Kelageri, allegedly went missing in 2023 after being lured away by a man known to the family, identified as Munna, a car driver who lived in their neighbourhood.
Mother Alleges Deception, ₹10 Lakh Fraud
According to Tangemma’s mother Manjula, the accused had gained the family’s trust while working as a driver for a lawyer known to them. The family, planning to purchase a house, reportedly handed over ₹10 lakh to the accused and the lawyer for assistance in finding property.
However, in 2023, when the family was away, the accused allegedly took Tangemma with him and disappeared, along with the money. The family has since been unable to trace either of them.
“We trusted him like family. Now we have lost both our daughter and our money,” Manjula alleged while appealing to authorities for urgent action.
Police Response Under Scrutiny
A complaint was filed at the Dharwad Suburban Police Station, but the family claims that only a missing case was registered, and no strong action was taken against the accused.
The mother has alleged that despite repeated requests, there has been little progress in tracing her daughter, prompting her to escalate the matter to the Police Commissioner with support from local groups.
Accused’s Background Raises Serious Concerns
Further complicating the case, the accused is reportedly already married and has two children. Police sources indicate that he had left his family earlier and had been moving across multiple cities, including Hyderabad, allegedly changing SIM cards to avoid detection.
Preliminary information also suggests that the accused may have a criminal background, with references to a case registered in Delhi, although officials are yet to officially confirm these details.
Search Efforts Face Challenges
Authorities have admitted that tracking the accused has become difficult due to frequent movement, lack of a digital trail, and changes in identity markers. However, no official statement has confirmed a breakthrough in the case so far.
Case Raises Questions on Missing Persons Handling
As the case gains attention, pressure is mounting on authorities to intensify the investigation and trace the missing woman, who has now been unaccounted for nearly two years.
