Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jul 9: The policemen belonging to Mangalore forest mobile squad arrested a person and seized from his possession three ivory idols worth crores of rupees in Manipal.
The members of the squad raided a student’s hostel located in the first cross of Anant Nagar Manipal, and arrested Raveendra Bhat (60) from Hosangady, Manjeshwar. Idols of Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati apart from Lord Brahma were seized from his possession.
It is gathered that the idols, worth of which is stated to be several lacs of rupees, were brought for sale at the request of members of a prestigious family in Manipal. Although it is claimed that a person named Jagadish Pai has been the second accused in the case, no confirmation of this fact could be obtained.
The sub-inspector of forest mobile squad from Mangalore was led by police sub-inspector, Manjunath K R.