Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 16: Sources revealed that in connection with the robbery at the chief priest and hereditary trustee of Kateel Goddess Durgaparameshwari temple, Vasudev Asranna, at Gidigere near Kateel recently in which cash and valuables were forcibly taken away after threatening the family members with weapons and attacking them, police have questioned over 50 persons and taken six into custody for intensive interrogation. It is learnt that the suspects in custody have provided some clinching evidences relating to the robbery.
In a joint operation launched by Bajpe police and city crime branch personnel, the suspects were taken into custody. While investigation has been undertaken on a war footing, robbed items are yet to be recovered, sources said.
Robbers speaking in Tulu and broken Hindi had attacked Asranna's family members in his absence, and made good their escape with a booty of around Rs 14 lac including ornaments and cash. 17 gold chains, a big golden garland, 20 rings, three necklaces, golden armband, three cellphones, a tablet, and cash had been robbed in this incident.
Two men, having in-depth knowledge about Asramma and his family and also about Kateel temple, were the master minds of this robbery, it has been revealed. The accused are likely to be arrested within a few days.
City police commissioner, M Chandra Sekhar, deputy commissioner of police (law and order), Shantaraju, and deputy commissioner (traffic and crime), Dr Sanjeev Patil, have been guiding the investigation led by Bajpe police inspector, T D Nagaraj, and city crime branch inspector, Sunil Nayak.