Moodbidri: Ancient idols worth Rs 13 crores stolen from Siddantha Basadi

Moodbidri: Ancient idols worth Rs 13 crores stolen from Siddantha Basadi

Mangalore Today News Network

Moodbidri, July 6, 2013: In a major theft in a Basadi, this time in the famous Siddantha Pratima Darshana Basadi here, as many as 16 idols including Panchaloha, gold and silver idols have been stolen. The theft came to light on July 6, Saturday morning when the Mutt manager arrived to open the doors at 5 am. The value of the stolen idols is estimated at  Rs 13 crores.

The stolen valuables include a golden and a diamond idol. It is believed that the thieves gained entry by breaking open the windows of the Mandir behind the Basadi using a gas cutter. The thieves who had entered the mandir wearing a shoe had later cut off the CC Camera connection.

 

 

 

The Moodbidri town police  have rushed to the  Basadi for investigations. Even D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala, local MLA and minister Abhayachandra Jain, Congress leader Janardhan Poojari and former minister Amarnath Shetty  visited the Basadi.Sri Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Swamiji, the  pontiff of the Jain Mutt, is  away on a US tour to attend some functions and conventions.  Police sources said the thieves might have committed the theft taking advantage of the seer’s absence.