Udupi: Three women arrested for stealing gold necklace during Hejamadi temple festival

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, December 27, 2025: Padubidre police have arrested three women in connection with the theft of a gold necklace from an elderly devotee during the Hejamadi Sri Brahma Baiderkal Temple festival.

The accused have been identified as Sheetal, Kaliyamma and Maari (40), residents of Krishnagiri Mariyammabedi in Tamil Nadu.

According to police, Kamala (78) had visited the temple on December 24 to take part in the festival rituals. After offering prayers, Sharda Poojary, who was assisting at the temple, noticed that Kamala’s gold necklace was missing.

On December 25, the temple management reviewed CCTV footage and found that the three women had distracted Kamala on the pretext of helping her and stolen a gold necklace weighing about three sovereigns.

A complaint was subsequently lodged at the Padubidre police station.

Following an investigation, the police traced and arrested the accused in Puttur. They were produced before the Udupi court and remanded to police custody for further investigation, officials said.