In the wake of the multi-crore Jenny Milk fraud case, donkeys that had been subjected to dire conditions near Malapanagudi in the taluk were auctioned off on Friday. These animals had been kept in captivity without access to food or water as part of the fraud investigation. The highest bid for a donkey was Rs 6,500, while a baby donkey was sold for Rs 1,000.
The case, involving 319 victims, revolves around allegations that over Rs 13 crore was defrauded in a donkey sale scheme. Following the investigation, police formed three teams, arresting five individuals, and the case was handed over to CID DySP Aslam Pasha in Kalaburagi for further probe. Additionally, 44 donkeys belonging to the company were seized.
During the investigation, the donkeys endured extreme suffering, with two of them dying due to lack of proper care. Acknowledging their plight, the CID team began providing vegetables and fodder for the animals at an estimated daily cost of Rs 5,000. After securing court approval, the donkeys were put up for auction to release them from captivity.
The auction saw participation from three individuals: Gadilinga from Pillamna in Andhra Pradesh, C. Suresh from Rayadurga, and Prahlad from Tumkur. The government set an initial bid of Rs 10,000, but the donkeys, originally sold by Jenny Milk Company for Rs 3 lakh, were auctioned at much lower prices. C. Suresh of Rayadurga placed the highest bid of Rs 6,500 for a donkey, while a calf donkey fetched just Rs 1,000. A total of 42 donkeys and two calves were sold, with the entire auction raising Rs 2.75 lakh.
C. Suresh, speaking to the media, shared, “Our family has been raising donkeys for generations, and we currently own 30 donkeys. Four families jointly care for them.”
Prahlad from Tumkur, who has been involved in donkey rearing for 15 years, added, “We have 80 donkeys, and we use their manure for areca nut cultivation. However, their health has deteriorated, which is why I decided to participate in this auction.”
Several customers who had been cheated in the donkey sale scheme were also present at the auction, discussing their grievances with Kalaburagi CID DySP S. Aslam Pasha, who attended the event.