Daijiworld Media Network - Hebri

Hebri, June 4: A thief who attempted to steal again from a temple donation box was finally caught during the early hours of June 3, bringing a dramatic end to a series of thefts that had troubled a local shrine in Mudradi village.

The incident occurred at the Natkaduru Abhayahaste Adishakti shrine in Mudradi, where the temple’s hundi (offering box) and a donation box of Kalkuda and Kallurti daivas were found looted on the night of May 25. Surprisingly, the same miscreant returned to the temple at midnight on June 2 with the intent of stealing again.

As he was attempting the theft, a group travelling by car spotted him. When they turned around and approached, the thief quickly scaled the wall and fled on a motorcycle. The witnesses alerted nearby residents and teamed up to pursue him. Simultaneously, they informed the police at the Someshwara and Agumbe check-posts.

The thief was intercepted by police at Agumbe and taken into custody. During questioning, he identified himself as Salman from Harihar in Davanagere district. Hebri police have arrested him and are investigating further.

Interestingly, the priest of the shrine, Sukumar Mohan, had reportedly submitted a spiritual complaint during a nema ritual held on May 30, appealing to the daivas Kalkuda, Kallurti, and Koragajja regarding the theft. According to devotees, the daiva had promised to reveal the culprit within nine days — a declaration many now believe has come true, as the same thief returned and was caught within just three days at the Koragajja shrine.

The incident has sparked conversations among locals, who view the turn of events as a divine intervention.