<p class="bodytext">A sand racketeer succeeded in escaping from the custody of Kota police.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kota police were tipped off on Wednesday morning about an illegal sand extraction activity near River Sita in Hangarakatte. The police station sub-inspector Rafiq M, Airody Gram Panchayat Development Officer Subhash Kharvi and village accountant Manjunath raided the illegal sand mining area early Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">During the raid, sand was found to be loaded on to a truck. Ashok Poojary and Santhosh, who noticed the police coming, escaped from the spot. Manju, the truck driver, was arrested.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rafiq had left the station at around 3.30 pm. Manju was given lunch and was allowed to wash his hands. Seizing the opportunity, Manju pushed the head constable Ram Devadiga and fled from the station.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The driver, a resident of Hangarakatte for the last few years, hails from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. Police also seized sand worth Rs 5,000 and a tempo belonging to Ashok Poojary.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A case was registered under Sections 224 and 353 of IPC in Kota police station, sources added.</p>
<p class="bodytext">A sand racketeer succeeded in escaping from the custody of Kota police.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kota police were tipped off on Wednesday morning about an illegal sand extraction activity near River Sita in Hangarakatte. The police station sub-inspector Rafiq M, Airody Gram Panchayat Development Officer Subhash Kharvi and village accountant Manjunath raided the illegal sand mining area early Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">During the raid, sand was found to be loaded on to a truck. Ashok Poojary and Santhosh, who noticed the police coming, escaped from the spot. Manju, the truck driver, was arrested.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rafiq had left the station at around 3.30 pm. Manju was given lunch and was allowed to wash his hands. Seizing the opportunity, Manju pushed the head constable Ram Devadiga and fled from the station.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The driver, a resident of Hangarakatte for the last few years, hails from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. Police also seized sand worth Rs 5,000 and a tempo belonging to Ashok Poojary.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A case was registered under Sections 224 and 353 of IPC in Kota police station, sources added.</p>