Daijiworld Media Network – Kaup (MS)

Kaup, Jul 15: A thief who stole offertory boxes from Daivastanas within the limits of Udupi and Kaup police stations was caught after falling asleep. Locals believe this capture was due to the divine intervention of the Daiva from whom the boxes were stolen.

Mudukappa Balappa Bidari (23), a native of Bagalkot district near Navanagara ITI College, is the accused.

The accused stole the offertory boxes from Chitpady Babbuswamy Daivastana near Diana Theatre in the early hours of July 5 and Katapady Forestgate Babbuswamy Daivastana on July 6. His acts were caught on CCTV. The administrative committees of both Daivastanas filed complaints with the police.

The administrative committee also held a public prayer on July 6, seeking divine intervention. During Daiva darshana, the Daiva assured that the thief would be caught within 24 hours.

On the morning of July 7, Bidari was found sleeping near the KSRTC bus stand in Udupi. A member of the Chitpady Kukkikatte Daivastana committee, who had come to the bus stand to drop off a friend, noticed a youth sleeping there at 8 am. On closer inspection, he recognized the youth as the thief seen on CCTV. He immediately informed the police.

During interrogation, Bidari confessed to the crime and also admitted to stealing offertory boxes from Doddanagudde and Bailoor Daivastanas.

Srinivas, secretary of the administrative committee of Chitpady Daivastana, said, “By apprehending the thief who stole offertory boxes from the Daivastanas within 24 hours, the Daiva has shown that its divine powers are still strong.”