Mysuru: A large crowd was gathered around the Dalvoy Lake on the Mysuru-Nanjangud Road on the morning of January 7, in search of the loot that was allegedly dumped in the lake by a gang of dacoits.

A crowd of over 50 people gathered at the lake after rumours spread that a gang of dacoits had disposed off of some gold bars and Rs 23 Lakh in cash in plastic bags, in the water late previous night.

Many, believing the rumours, thronged at the lake’s shores in search of the “hidden treasure”, in the early hours of the day. Some even waded through the waters in search of this elusive treasure, while others poked and prodded the water closer to land.

Curious commuters paused their journey to enquire about the happenings at the lake, some even joining in the search. Adding fuel to the eagerness of the folk gathered, some claimed that the “dacoits” were expected to return to the spot of the hidden treasure at night and that the loot needed to be recovered by then.

Another rumour soon caught on that the gold and cash had been recovered by the police and that it was being kept at the station. People however, soon realised that they had been taken for a jolly ride and left for their homes… empty handed to say the least!