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MANGALURU: Prasad Attavar, 40, founder Rama Sene, who gained notoriety for his involvement in the infamous Mangaluru pub attack, was arrested by the city police on Monday. The Rama Sene leader is accused of duping a professor after promising him the job of a vice-chancellor in a university in Raichur for Rs 30 lakh and issuing a life threat to him for asking the money back.

Police said M Jayashankar, professor of microbiology and director of college development council, Mangalore University, got in touch with Vivek Acharya who in turn introduced him to Prasad Attavar. The accused told the professor that he knew several prominent people in the country and was close to them and can get any job done easily.

To convince the complainant about his contacts, he flaunted several pictures with politicians including chief minister BS Yediyurappa, his son and BJP state vice president BY Vijayendra, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and a few ministers.

He then promised the complainant the V-C’s job at a university in Raichur. For this, he asked Jayashankar to pay Rs 30 lakh and forcefully took Rs 17.5 lakh and three blank cheques for the rest of the money. When the professor asked him to return the money, the accused threatened his life.

A case has been registered at Kankanady town Police station against Attavar, who was currently residing near Kudupu.

Since there are several pending cases in Mangaluru North and Mangaluru East police stations, police have opened a rowdy sheet against him in Mangaluru North and Kankanady Town police station. The Dakshina Kannada administration had also issued an externment notice in the past.

Varsity to seek legal opinion

Mangalore University vice-chancellor P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya said the university is yet to receive official communication on the development. “We will seek legal opinion and place this issue before the Syndicate, based on which action will be taken,” he said.