Secretary Ashton Sequeira Expelled from District NSUI Committee
Mangaluru: As per the letter dated 25 February 2018 addressed to Mangalore Press Club/Media, Abdulla Bin Ameen-the president of DK District National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) it is stated that ” On directions of the NSUI State President Manjunath HS, Ashton Sequeira is expelled from the NSUI District committee following allegations against him.” (Copy of letter attached in report) In the district NSUI elections held in June 2017, Ashton Sequeira was elected the first secretary with 334 votes.
Sources reveal that the reason for Ashton’s expulsion is of his involvement in trying to sell stolen antique Jain idols. Recalling the incident, a few days ago, District secretary of NSUI Ashton Sequeira, a student wing of the Congress and four others were arrested by Udupi District police for allegedly trying to sell antique bronze idols of Jain Tirthankara near Kotalingeshwara Temple in Kundapura, in Udupi. Police seized idols, a car, cash and cell-phones from them. According to police, the value of the seized idols may run up to several crores of Rupees. However, the actual value of the bronze idols will be appraised by officials of the Archaeological Survey of India, said police.
The arrested people were identified as Nevill Wilfy Mascarenhas, 36, from Padil, Mangaluru, Anil Furtado, 34, a resident of Talaguppa in Shivamogga district, and Ashton Sequeira, 28, a resident of Kulshekar, Mangaluru, John, 57 and his wife Anila, 45, a resident of Church Road in Kundapur. It is also learnt that Ashton also runs a homestay in Vamanjoor-Mangaluru. Acting on a tip-off that some persons were trying to sell ancient idols, police personnel headed by PSI Harish R, reached near Kotalingeshwara Temple. Police noticed that some people were conversing inside a silver colour car, while a couple stood outside few metres away. When police raided, the trio in car and couple tried to run away but were arrested.
During the investigation, they found four bronze idols hid in the car seats. When police asked about how they got it, they failed to answer convincingly and they were arrested. Police also arrested John and his wife even though they told the police they were not connected to the issue. Police added that a goldsmith confirmed that idols were made of bronze and have an antique value which cannot be estimated.
During interrogation, Ashton Sequeira, who claimed that idols belonged to him and he found them while clearing a well to construct swimming pool at his property, police said adding that investigation is on whom they were going to sell it. Court has ordered five days police custody for thorough investigation. Police have seized around Rs 60,000 cash from the trio, a bill counter, a car, several cellphones and documents. They have been booked under IPC 379 and Antique and Art Treasure Act 1972 at Kundapur police station. They were all produced in court and sent to judicial custody.
Peaceful expulsion?