Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 23: The home of Raghavendra Bhat, a photographer by profession, who resides at Saje, Mudarangady near the Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) facility near Padubidri, was targetted by the thieves for the second time in the last 17 months on Friday January 22.

In August 2008, Bhat’s house had been burgled by unidentified thieves, causing a loss of about a lac of rupees. The thieves are yet to be nabbed. In his complaint, Bhat said he has lost valuables worth Rs 2.03 lac including two gold chains, a bangle, video camera, photo camera, silver glasses and puja items, apart from cash amounting to Rs 14,000.

Two wardrobes and three steel almirahs in the house were found to have been burgled. The thieves entered the home by breaking open two doors, after Bhat left for Uppinangady on Friday morning with family.  The neighbourers, who were asked to keep a vigil, found the doors broken, and informed Bhat over phone.

Finger print experts and sniffer dog were pressed into service. The dog returned after leading the policemen up to the colony of UPCL labourers. Several people in the area, whose houses have been burgled in the recent past, say that they strongly doubt the involvement of UPCL labourers in the thefts.