Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 18: Thieves who broke open the front lock of Sri Brahma Baidarkala Garody at Hejamady in the taluk took away cash found in the donation box, on the night of Saturday September 16. This Garody is located near national highway 66.

The thieves used a gas cutter to break open the front lock. As per the estimate, they took away between Rs 20.000 and 25,000 found in the donation box. In addition, they also took away Rs 15,000 in cash belonging to the priest of the Garody, Gururaj Poojary, which he had left in his bag inside the Garody.

It is felt that people living in the neighbourhood did not hear the sounds made by the thieves because of heavy rain. The incident came to light when the priest arrived at the Garody at 5.30 am on Sunday. When he came, the light that had been put on by the thieves was still burning. Thereafter, management of the Garody was contacted, and a complaint was filed at Padubidri police station about the theft.

Apparently, the thieves did not make an attempt to gain entry into the sanctum sanctorum. The thieves seemed to be interested in only cash. Even though the bag belonging to Gururaj Poojary contained some silver valuables, the thieves did not take them away, nor did they try to burgle valuable items inside the sanctum sanctorum.

Hejamady gram panchayat president, Vishalakshi Putran, Kaup police inspector, Halamurthy Rao, Padubidri station house officer, Satish M P, sniffer dogs, and finger print experts arrived at the spot to investigate the case.