Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (MS)
Kundapur, Oct 7: Police have recovered 256 grams of gold ornaments that were stolen from the idols of deities at the historically renowned Sri Mahakali Temple in Kharvikeri. The theft was carried out by the temple priest, who had pledged the stolen ornaments at various locations.
The incident came to light on September 21, following which the police arrested the accused priest, Narasimha Bhat (43), a native of Sirsi, on the same day.
The police team, led by Gangolli police station SI Harish R, along with Basavaraja Kanashetty, officers Nagaraja, Shantarama Shetty, Raghavendra, Sandeepa Kurani, and driver Dinesh, successfully recovered the pledged gold ornaments from different banks and cooperative societies.
The recovered items include a chain weighing 40 grams, valued at Rs 3.2 lakh, a Kaasi Taali chain weighing 73 grams, worth Rs 5.84 lakh, a Karimani chain weighing 5.84 grams, three gold taalis weighing six grams and valued at Rs 48,000, and a gold necklace weighing 64 grams, worth Rs 5.12 lakh. The total value of the recovered gold is Rs 20.48 lakh, with a combined weight of 256 grams.
The accused, Narasimha Bhat, had replaced the original ornaments on the idols with fake ones and pledged the real gold at banks and societies in Kundapur and Byndoor. The police have submitted the recovered ornaments to the court, and temple authorities can reclaim them after due process.
A case has been registered at Gangolli police station in connection with the incident.