Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Dec 26: 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.

Police said that Kamala (78) had visited the temple on December 24 to participate in the festival rituals. After having darshan, Sharda Poojary, who was assisting at the temple, noticed that a gold necklace was missing from Kamala’s neck.

On December 25, the temple management reviewed CCTV footage and discovered that the three women had distracted Kamala under the pretext of helping her and stolen approximately a gold necklace weighing approximately 3 sovereigns.

A formal complaint was lodged at Padubidre police station.

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