Police searching for cabbie, who absconded with bag full of cash.
By The American Bazaar Staff
BANGALORE: A manhunt is currently underway in Chennai, after a man absconded with a bag belonging to a Tamil film producer – a bag that reportedly had Rs. 20 lakhs in it.
The producer in question is 60 year-old Chennai resident B. Sampoornam, who apparently booked a taxi to take her from Thirumangalam to Kilpauk for a meeting with fellow film financier Suresh Bandari, reports the Tamil News Network. She booked the car with Athi Travels, whose owner, Chinnadurai, allegedly stole the money.
Chinnadurai had told Sampoornam that he would personally drive her, saying that there were no other drivers available to take her. He picked her up from Sampoornma’s home at around 9:30pm on Thursday, and promptly left to take her to Kilpauk, a ride which is about seven kilometers in distance and should take no more than 20 minutes or so.
En route to the destination, around the CSI Bain School, Chinnadurai allegedly stopped the car and pulled over to the side of the road, saying that there was a problem with the engine. Sampoornam then got out of the car to speak with passers-by, leaving the bag – and the money inside of it – in the car.
It was at this point that Chinnadurai jumped back into the car and took off, absconding with the money and leaving Sampoornam stranded.
Calls to Chinnadurai were unanswered; his phone reportedly would ring at first, but has now apparently been turned off. The police are currently investigating the complaint, which was formally filed with the Thirumangalam police not long after the theft allegedly occurred. Kilpauk police have also been notified, too, although no leads have been made public.