Moodbidri: Santosh Das, a native of Odisha who was accused of stealing precious idols of Jain Basadi in Moodbidri confessed of stealing a idol from world famous Puri Jagannat temple in Odisha.
The police sources informed that Santosh was breaking the idols into a few pieces, since the traditional goldsmiths refused to melt the idols as it is. Over 35 cases were already registered on theft of idols nationwide, but that would exceed 100, estimated the police.
Santosh is living just 40 kilometers away from Puri Jagannat temple. He was nabbed while stealing an idol in Puri Jagannat temple when he was nineteen-years-old. Since then, he was extra vigilant in masterminding the theft.
He was imprisoned in Hyderabad while stealing, a few months ago. He was on bail but continued his criminal activities by planning to rob the idol of Jain Basadi here.