Mulky police nab 3 idol thieves, seize antique idol worth Rs. 20 lakh

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, September 29: Mangalore Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh told reporters at a press conference held in his office on September 29, Wednesday that the Mulky police have nabbed 3 people connected to the theft of an idol on September 28, Tuesday.

Lakshmi Narasimha temple theft sep 29 1

Lakshmi Narasimha temple theft sep 29 2

Lakshmi Narasimha temple theft sep 29 3

Lakshmi Narasimha temple theft sep 29 4

The police team has arrested Raghavendra Bhat of Kaup, Manjunatha of Talapady, and Ramachandra Bhat of Heggari. Their accomplices Sandeep, Ravi, and Dinesh are now absconding.

Police have confiscated the stolen antique panchaloha idol of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha worth Rs. 20 lakh from the accused, who were caught attempting to sell it. The stolen idol has a history of 3 centuries, is 11-inch high, and weight 5.5kgs.

Upon police interrogation, the arrested disclosed that the idol belongs to Heggari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Bekse Kenchigudde Village of Teertha Halli taluk in Shimoga district. One of the accused Raghavendra Bhat is also one of the chief priests of the temple. Raghavendra Bhat, along with Ravi and Ramachandra Bhat, stole the idol, replaced it with an inexpensive duplicate and tried to sell the antique in order to overcome their financial problems.

The police team, which conducted the investigations and nabbed the idol thieves, comprised Mulky CPI Shivaprakash R. Naik, Muniswamy, ASI Raghava, HC Chandappa, Chandrashekar, Sundar, Sanjeeva, Bennichan, Ashwin Kumar, and Lohit. The investigations were guided by Panambur ACP M. Puttamadhayya.

DCPs R. Ramesh and M. Mutthuraya were present during the press conference.

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