Updates: VG Siddhartha cremated at his Chethanahalli estate

By Anuj Cariappa

Updated: Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 20:11 [IST]

Mangalore, July 30: Billionaire coffee tycoon V G Siddhartha was cremated in a sombre atmosphere after hundreds of people paid a tearful homage to the 'Coffee King" at his Chetanahali estate in his ancestral village in Chikkamagaluru where hundreds of people gathered to pay their last respects.

V G Siddhartha was founder of Cafe Coffee Day and son in law of former Karnataka chief minister, S M Krishna. His body was found after a 36 hour search. Coffee Day Enterprises said it appointed SV Ranganath as the interim chairman of the board and Nitin Bagmane was named as interim chief operating officer of the company.

Updates: Doctors arrive at Wenlock hospital for post mortem of V G Siddharthas body

The body was found in the river at the Hoige Bazar area in Mangalore. Siddhartha was missing since Monday.

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Jul 31, 2019, 7:33 PM IST

VG Siddhartha's son Amartya lit the funeral pyre after the last rites were performed according to the traditions of the Vokkaliga community from which Siddhartha hailed, say reports.

Jul 31, 2019, 6:59 PM IST

Siddhartha's elder son Amartya lights the pyre.

Jul 31, 2019, 6:36 PM IST

VG Siddhartha's body brought near pyre.

Jul 31, 2019, 6:24 PM IST

Last rites to begin anytime now at Chethanahalli estate.

Jul 31, 2019, 6:21 PM IST

BSY pays tribute:

ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಬಿ.ಎಸ್. ಯಡಿಯೂರಪ್ಪ ಅವರು ಇಂದು ಚಿಕ್ಕಮಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಫೆ ಕಾಫಿ ಡೇ ಸಂಸ್ಥಾಪಕ ವಿ.ಜಿ. ಸಿದ್ಧಾರ್ಥ ಅವರ ಪಾರ್ಥಿವ ಶರೀರಕ್ಕೆ ಅಂತಿಮ ನಮನ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿದರು. ಶಾಸಕರಾದ ರಾಜೇಗೌಡ, ಆರ್. ಅಶೋಕ್, ಎಸ್. ಎಲ್. ಭೋಜೇಗೌಡ ಜೊತೆಗಿದ್ದರು.#CafeCoffeeDay pic.twitter.com/s3zgKKxjwk
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) July 31, 2019

Jul 31, 2019, 5:55 PM IST

Last rites shortly. Thousands of teary eyed people witness last journey.

Jul 31, 2019, 5:43 PM IST

VG Siddhartha's body brought to his ancestral home in Chetanahalli Estate

Jul 31, 2019, 5:37 PM IST

Former CM HD Kumaraswamy breaks down during the funeral ceremony.

Jul 31, 2019, 5:23 PM IST

Some outlets of the popular Cafe Coffee Day chain in central Bengaluru remained shut today as a mark of respect to its founder-chairman VG Siddhartha, said reports.

Jul 31, 2019, 5:18 PM IST

Last rites of CCD Founder VG Siddhartha to be held shorty at one of his coffee estate in Chikamagaluru.

Jul 31, 2019, 5:16 PM IST

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa arrives at Chikkamagaluru for the last rites of VG Siddharatha.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:59 PM IST

Ambulance arrives to shift Siddhartha's mortal remains to his ancestral home.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:59 PM IST

Former ministers MP Patil and UT Khader also present at his his ancestral home.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:57 PM IST

Paytm’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma paid his tributes by tweeting, “One more starry-eyed messiah meets a violent farewell.

I had known #VGSiddhartha personally and was always amazed at his energy and positivity. Distressed by his disappearance. He has been an inspiring entrepreneur and investor.
— Sachin Bansal (@_sachinbansal) July 30, 2019

Jul 31, 2019, 4:56 PM IST

Rajiv Bajaj, MD of Bajaj Auto, recalled that V G Siddhartha was a soft spoken, gentle mannered and warm-hearted & uncommonly humble co awardee at a Forbes October 2011 event.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:56 PM IST

Final rites of Siddhartha to be conducted at Chethanahalli estate.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:56 PM IST

Siddhartha’s mortal remains en route to his native Chethanahalli.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:43 PM IST

CCD tweets that it is committed to Siddhartha's vision

Today we remember the legend that inspired us all. Thank you Chairman VG Siddhartha for your vision, leadership and the great legacy. pic.twitter.com/tYMiglgofe
— Cafe Coffee Day (@CafeCoffeeDay) July 31, 2019

Jul 31, 2019, 4:42 PM IST

After Mamata, former Karnataka minister MB Patil demanded action over the struggles faced by businessmen because of government agencies.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:41 PM IST

Former Minister KJ George pays his last respects to Siddhartha in Chikkamagaluru.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:41 PM IST

BS Yediyurappa said,''He was a simple man, a pioneer in popularising Indian coffee in the world. I can't even imagine why a person who would have been under the guidance of SM Krishna Ji end his life. I give my tributes to his family.''

Jul 31, 2019, 4:40 PM IST

Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee describes the death of CCD owner VG Siddhartha as "very unfortunate". She said that the coffee baron was depressed due of "harassment from different agencies", failed to run his business and finally gave up.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:40 PM IST

Jul 31, 2019, 4:39 PM IST

Former Minister DK Shivakumar pays his last respects to Siddhartha in Chikkamagaluru.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:33 PM IST

Hundreds gather at Amalgamated Bean Coffee (ABC) company office premises in Chikkamagaluru to pay respect to VG Siddhartha.

Jul 31, 2019, 4:33 PM IST

HD Kumaraswamy broke down while paying respects to VG Siddhartha in Chikkamagaluru. Former state ministers DK Shivakumar and KG George were also present at the ABC office premise where the body has been currently kept.

Jul 31, 2019, 3:50 PM IST

Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa paid his last respects to Siddhartha in Chikkamagaluru. He condoled the demise of CCD founder and described him as a very simple and humble person.

Jul 31, 2019, 3:49 PM IST

Even the official Facebook handle of CCD has changed its icon from the usual red to black after after the death of its founder-owner VG Siddhartha.

Jul 31, 2019, 3:47 PM IST

The CCD board has said that it remains deeply committed to safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders, including investors, lenders, employees and customers.

Jul 31, 2019, 3:32 PM IST

In another tweet, Siddaramaiah clarifies Opposition only against 'few crony capitalists'

Few 'Bhakts' are quick to criticize opposition, for blaming ruling govt of favouring capitalists, as they feel Siddhartha's case disproves it.

Truth is,

We blamed govt for favouring 'FEW' 'CRONY' capitalists.

Make it a level playing field for compassionate visionaries.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 31, 2019

Jul 30, 2019, 12:01 pm IST

After the news broke, Karnataka Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa visited the residence of Krishna. Congress leader, D K Shivakumar too paid a visit and offered moral support. H D Kumaraswamy and other senior leaders too called on S M Krishna.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:02 pm IST

The driver in his statement said,” on Monday I went to his residence at 8 am in Bengaluru. At 12.30 pm, he asked me to drive to Sakleshpur. We we were nearing, he told me to drive towards Mangalore. As I was driving towards Mangalore, he said take the car to the bridge. He asked me to wait at the end of the bridge and said that he would walk. At 8 pm, I called him, but his phone was switched off. I then called his son and he said he would try calling him. Since there was no response, I filed this complaint.”

Jul 30, 2019, 12:02 pm IST

The police have intensified the search around the Nethravathi bridge. The police are also inspecting the CCTV footage in and around the area. Congress leader, U T Khader is at the site and overseeing the search operations.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:02 pm IST

He had arrived here from Bengaluru by car. Two persons who accompanied him got down at the Pumpwell Circle. He then instructed his driver to go towards Ullal, following which he told him to stop at the bridge. He was seen walking for sometime, before he went missing.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:02 pm IST

The police have launched a massive search for him. His driver told the police that Siddhartha was talking on the phone when he got off the car near Kotekar. The police said that he was on a business trip to Mangalore.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:02 pm IST

My team, auditors and senior management are totally unaware of all my transactions. The law should hold me and only me accountable, as I have withheld this information from everybody including my family. My intention was never to cheat or mislead anybody. I have failed as an entrepreneur. I sincerely request each of you to be strong and continue running these businesses with a new management, Siddhartha also wrote in the letter.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:02 pm IST

In a letter to Coffee Day and the Board of directors, he said, he regrets as he failed to create the right profitable model despite his best efforts. I would like to say that I gave it my all. I am very sorry to let down all the people that put their trust in me. “I fought for a long time, but today I gave up as I could take any more pressure from one of the private equity partners forcing me to buy back shares, a transaction, I partially completed six months back, by borrowing a large sum of money from a friend.”

Jul 30, 2019, 12:02 pm IST

The shares of the Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd dropped 20 per cent. The shares slumped as much as 20 per cent to 153.40 rupees. The stock as of its Monday’s closing price has corrected nearly 27 per cent in the last year.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:02 pm IST

This is to inform you that that V G Siddhartha, chairman and managing director of Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd has not been reachable since yesterday evening. We are taking the help of concerned authorities. Company is professional managed and led by competent leadership team, which will ensure continuity of business. We will keep you posted as and when we receive further updates, the letter written by Coffee Day to BSE stated.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:03 pm IST

Dakshin Kannada DC said that they are deploying diving experts. Massive search operations are on. Operations had been disrupted for sometime owing to heavy rains.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:03 pm IST

Karnataka MP, Shobha Karandlaje has sought the help of the Centre to help in the search operations.

Requested Hon HM Sri @AmitShah Ji for central govt's help to trace VG Siddhartha, who found to be missing since yesterday.

A gentleman, who popularised Coffee across the world, known for his business acumen. pic.twitter.com/ichuMqmdBn
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) July 30, 2019

Jul 30, 2019, 12:05 pm IST

Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy visited the residence of former union minister SM Krishna.

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka CM, HD Kumaraswamy visits residence of former union minister SM Krishna. His son-in-law, VG Siddhartha has been missing from Mangaluru. pic.twitter.com/SZUhskm6SE
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2019

Jul 30, 2019, 12:06 pm IST

Congress leader and former Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar says it is extremely fishy that VG Siddhartha would write such a letter, demands investigation.

The letter purportedly written by Shri VG Siddhartha which is circulating is dated July 27th.

I received a call from him on the 28th asking if we could meet up.

It’s unbelievable that a courageous man like him would resort to this. pic.twitter.com/bXcJhHz0QS
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) July 30, 2019

Jul 30, 2019, 12:06 pm IST

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle said in a tweet, “ I can’t say I knew Siddhartha, but I met him social a couple of times. He introduced me to his ready to go brand of coffee (then called Drizzle, now FiltaFresh) which I still carry with me while travelling. He created an excellent brand.”

Jul 30, 2019, 12:06 pm IST

We are trying to cover all angles. We have 8 teams part of the search operation. Our entire focus is on search and rescue operations, Shreekant Senthil, the DC of Dakshin Kannada said.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:07 pm IST

Heavy rain has hampered the search operations in Netravati River near Mangaluru where VG Siddhartha was last seen.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:07 pm IST

Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam asks what failed VG Siddhartha after a successful run for decades.

Cafe Coffee Day was considered a huge success story in last 20 yrs. But suddenly,its owner and founder Sidharth is saying today that he failed as entrepreneur.He is missing.
What failed him eventually?
Economic policy?Market forces?or Consumer behaviour?
Or recession has arrived? pic.twitter.com/vCduZX2L5j
— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) July 30, 2019

Jul 30, 2019, 12:09 pm IST

Meanwhile, The employees of Cafe Coffee Day factory in Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru district have asked to go home.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:09 pm IST

The chief minister BS Yediyurappa has also asked for minute-to-minute updates of the search operation.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:10 pm IST

Former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy visited the SM Krishna's residence on Tuesday morning, after the disappearance of Cafe Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:11 pm IST

Mangaluru police commissioner, S Patil said that he visited former Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna on Monday in light of his son-in-law's disappearance. He said, "I visited SM Krishna's house last night. I spoke to Siddhartha's wife and other relatives and gathered some information. I'm currently in Bengaluru."

Jul 30, 2019, 12:17 pm IST

D K Shivakumar cries foul over V G Siddhartha’s letter. This letter written by him which is circulating is dated July 27. He had called me on July 28th asking if we could meet up. It is unbelievable that a courageous man like him would resort to this. I find this utterly fishy and urge that a thorough investigation be conducted into this matter, Shivakumar also said.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:37 pm IST

V G Siddhartha, the founder of Cafe Coffee Day, who has been missing since Monday night hinted about harassment by Income Tax officials.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:38 pm IST

Employees of Coffee Day enterprises are in a state of shock over owner VG Siddhartha going missing.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:50 pm IST

Search for missing founder and owner Cafe Coffee Day, VG Siddhartha in Mangaluru: Indian Coast Guard's ICGS Rajdoot to patrol off old Mangalore Port and maintain lookout close to harbour mouth. ACV (H-198)undertaking search in Netravati River and providing support to 3 diving teams.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:51 pm IST

Cafe Coffee Day outlets are working normally in various parts of the state. However a holiday has been declared for its employees working in Hassan. Many management staff have been rushed to Mangalore

Jul 30, 2019, 12:52 pm IST

JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda has arrived at S M Krishna. Earlier his son, H D Kumaraswamy visited Krishna.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:53 pm IST

Cops intensify probe in VG Siddhartha's disappearance case. Employees are being questioned over owner Siddhartha’s disappearance.

Jul 30, 2019, 12:57 pm IST

Shocked by VG Siddhartha’s sudden disappearance. Hope he is safe and found soon, tweets Congress leader Milind Deora.

Shocked by VG Siddhartha’s sudden disappearance. Hope he is safe & found soon.

Siddharth is an exceptional entrepreneur who introduced millions of Indians to coffee.

His is the ugliest example of how agency persecution is wrecking India’s growth story
— Milind Deora मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) July 30, 2019

Jul 30, 2019, 12:59 pm IST

Biocon CMD, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw reacts on VGSiddhartha, says he was under unbearable stress from private money lenders.

It seems to indicate that the Private Equity fund manager acted like a money lender n seems to have caused unbearable stress - needs to be investigated pic.twitter.com/DYKjTnRU0Q
— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) July 30, 2019

Updates: VG Siddhartha cremated at his Chethanahalli estate

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