Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga (SP)

Shivamogga, Nov 25: The ancestral house of celebrated Kannada poet, writer and scholar, Rashtrakavi Kuvempu,'Shreeshaila', which has been preserved as his memorial, was targeted by a miscreant on Monday night. The house is located at Kuppalli village near Thirthahalli in the district.

The thief is found to have destroyed some plaques presented to Kuvempu including 'Karntaka Ratna' title. He also took away citations presented to Kuvempu on being bestowed with 'Padma Vibhushan' honour and awarding of doctorate by Mysore University.

The policemen, who have taken up investigation, have released CCTV footage of the theft, and announced reward of Rs 10,000 to informants.

A watchman is posted for the house at night, and the theft was committed before he reported for duty. The thief scaled the backside wall of the house by using a ladder, and entered the house by removing tiles. He broke the CCTV cameras inside the house and threw them out.

After the night watchman noticed the theft and sounded the police, district superintendent of police (SP), Ravi D Chennannavar, additional SP, Vishnuvardhan, and deputy SP, Ramahandra Nayak, visited the spot and guided investigation. Sniffer dogs and finger print experts also surveyed the area. Joint secretary of Kuvempu Foundation, Kadidal Prakash, also rushed to Kuppalli from Bengaluru after he came to know of the incident.

The SP, speaking to reporters, said that the incident looks like the handiwork of a miscreant. He expressed confidence about arresting the culprit soon.

The CCTV footage released by the police shows a man covering his face with a shawl entering the house, checking the cupboard, trying to break a big box, and staring at the CCTV cameras. His clothes and other bodily features are clearly visible in the footage.