Bengaluru, July 31: The body of missing Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) founder-owner VG Siddhartha was found on the banks of Netravati River near Hoige Bazaar in Mangaluru on Wednesday. Siddhartha, who went missing on Monday, was spotted last at the Netravati Bridge where he had gone for a stroll. A fisherman, who was fishing nearby, claimed to have seen a man, likely to be Siddhartha, jumping into the Netravathi river from the bridge on Monday evening, police said. CCD Founder VG Siddhartha Found Dead, Body Recovered From Netravati River After He Went Missing.

The fisherman, identified as Symond D’Souza, said he heard a thud-like sound in the river, following which he turned and saw the same man in the water struggling to float but drowned by the time he could reach the spot. D’Souza further added saying that as the current was strong, he could not find him in the fast-moving water, as the river is almost full and deep.  Cafe Coffee Day Founder VG Siddhartha Goes Missing From Mangaluru.

According to reports, Mangaluru Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kodandaram said they have recorded the statement of fisherman Symond D’Souza that he saw a man jumping off the bridge into the river when he was fishing nearby. During interrogation, D’Souza said he saw a man jumping off the bridge’s pillar number 8 and drowning, which was likely to be Siddhartha.

The 58-year-old businessman, the son-in-law of former Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna, had gone missing since Monday evening. He was spotted last on Monday at the Netravati Bridge where he had gone for a walk. As he did not return for quite some time, the driver of the CCD founder had informed the nearby Kanakanady police station that his employer was missing from the same spot since that time. A massive search operation was being carried out since Tuesday to locate Siddhartha.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2019 09:25 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).