Belagavi: The miscreants in Nippani Taluk of Belagavi District has reportedly removed the idol of Shiva from an 800-year-old temple and dug up the sanctum sanctorum approximately 8ft deep in search of treasure.

According to police sources, this was the fifth attempt to find treasure believed to be hidden by erstwhile kingdoms. After filing a FIR, police initiated an investigation into the incident and are on the lookout for the culprits.

On the night of December 26, the alleged treasure hunters entered into the sanctum sanctorum of Ramalingeshwara shrine in Honidibba village, Nippani Taluk. The treasure hunters allegedly performed black magic before beginning their search for gold and silver. Before making their getaway, the miscreants are said to have restored the idol.

When temple priest Rudrappa Mattikoppa arrived at the temple the next morning to do puja alerted the people, who filed a complaint with the Kittur Police Station.

According to police, there are no CCTV cameras at the temple or in the surrounding area. As a result, they are focusing their efforts on the cell tower network in order to narrow down their search for culprits.