Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 28: Surathkal police have arrested two persons in connection with the theft of idols of daivas and other valuables from a locked house in Kulai village and have recovered stolen property worth about Rs 1.95 lac.
According to police, the complaint was lodged by Amita (43), wife of Suresh, a resident near Yashoda Clinic, Kulai village. She stated that idols of daivas and related pooja articles were kept at her mother’s house, which was not occupied regularly and was opened only for daily pooja and lighting of lamps before being locked.
On the night of December 26, 2025, unknown persons allegedly removed roof tiles, gained entry into the house and stole a copper idol of Pasappa Daiva, a silver idol of Mantradevata, copper idols of Kallurti Panjurli, a silver sword, copper bells, copper vessels and an LED TV, all together valued at around Rs 1 lac. A case was registered at Surathkal police station on December 27, 2025, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the surrounding areas and used technical analysis, which led to the arrest of Vajid J alias Vaji (27), a resident of Bajpe, presently staying in Surathkal. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to committing the theft and stated that the brass and copper items stolen from the house had been sold to a scrap dealer in Jokatte.
Based on his statement, police arrested Syed Ali (40) of Beltangady taluk, presently residing in Jokatte, on January 27, 2026. From the accused, police recovered a silver idol of Mantradevata, a silver umbrella and sword, brass pooja articles worth about Rs 2,750, copper pooja articles worth about Rs 300, a TV and set-top box worth about Rs 2,000, two mobile phones, and a scooter worth about Rs 30,000 reported stolen from Kavoor police station limits. The total value of the recovered property is estimated at about Rs 1.95 lac.
Police said Vajid J alias Vaji is a history-sheeter at Surathkal police station, with a ‘B’ rowdy sheet and M O B opened against him. Several cases, including attempt to murder, robbery, house theft, cattle theft and vehicle theft, have been registered against him in Mangaluru city, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Hassan districts. He was also absconding from court proceedings, following which a non-bailable warrant had been issued against him.
Both the accused were produced before the court on January 28, 2026, and have been remanded to judicial custody.