Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 11: The thieves entered Vittal Rukhmai temple of Bajpe and also the post office recently and took away gold and silver ornaments besides cash, amounting to over a lac of rupees.

The thieves entered the temple, being managed by the local Gowd Saraswat Samaj, at night when a heavy downpour was on, and broke open the lock of the rear side shutter apart from the window rods to gain entry. They took away the golden crown of the presiding deity, golden chain, idol of Goddess Annapoorneshwari, pedestal, aureole, Karimani chain, pearl chain, Tulasihara etc., from the temple, apart from the cash deposited by devotees into the donation box there. The value of stolen items is over a lac of rupees.

The thieves also entered the local post office by breaking open its lock. They also broke open the locks of almirahs and the boxes containing postal stamps but could not gain entry into the locker. They took away some cash found in the drawers, it is learnt.

The sniffer dogs led the officials to the post office and then to the bus stand. Finger print experts also have collected evidences. Bajpe sub-inspector Ramesh Kumar is investigating.