Car logo theft on the rise

[email protected] (Stanley Pinto for Times of India )

February 18, 2012

Mangalore, February 18: It could be kleptomania or a way to make easy money, monograms, badges or logos of expensive cars like BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda and Merc are being increasingly targetted. And the culprits are said to be students.

Stealing car logos is the newest trend in auto theft in the city, especially in areas where mass parking is done and near colleges. Most of the thefts have occurred near Town Hall, TMA Pai Convention Hall, State Bank of India (Hamilton) Circle, Jeppu and Light House Hill Road areas.

Ramesh S, who lost Volkswagen monogram on the rear within a week after the car was bought, says that usually car owners miss the theft as the most observed spots are tyres for proper inflation or punctures, scratches on the panels etc. "It must have occurred a few days back. It is the unlikeliest thing one will ever notice. There was no use of complaining. I will have to shell out Rs 1,800 to buy one,'' he adds.

Charan Suvarna, sales manager, Volkswagen, says the logos are costly as they are imported from Germany. "Untill they are sourced locally, this problem will continue,'' says Suvarna adding that they have received 20 inquiries for logo replacement A scrap dealer in Bunder said, "Last week two students were trying to sell a Volkswagen logo. A customer, who had come for some used part, started inquiring them on suspicion and they bolted. But, we could not catch them.''

The expensive logos are not available with local scrap dealers and they claim that the logos find way to Bangalore. "Police should find out whom the students work for. It is looking like a big racket here,'' another scrap dealer added.

Vinay Goankar, police inspector, Mangalore north admits logo theft is on the rise, but none have complained about it so far. He also indicates that mostly students are behind the new type of theft. According to sources several complaints have been withdrawn after parents of the students who were caught stealing the logos pleaded not to spoil their wards' future. Sometimes they also promise to make good the loss.

Showroom sources said flicking a logo was easy as they are either stuck with special glue or held in position with clips. "With a screw driver and correct pressure one can remove it without making any damage to the logo,'' the source added.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

Comments