NewsKarnataka – Kundapur

Kundapur: In connection with the theft of the primeval seven Panchaloha Mahaveer idols from a Jain Basadi, three culprits have been arrested by the Kundapur police on Thursday June 5. The police officials have also been successful in recovering the idols that were stolen almost a year ago.

The arrested have been identified as 28-year-old Chandra Naik, a resident of Madur in Jadkal, 25-year-old Ashok Mogaveera, a resident of Maddugudde, and 29-year-old Ravi, a resident of Byndoor.  They have been produced before the court.

It main be recalled that around a year ago idols were stolen from Mahaveera Jain Basadi located at Mogaveerapatna at Kokkarne near Brahmavar.  As per the police sources, Ashok Mogaveera, who is the prime accused who used to visit  his relatives residing near the  Basadi, planned to steal the idols with the help of his friends. After committing the burglary, they concealed them in the near-by forest for over a year.

However on Thursday evening, the accused were nabbed after the police spotted them roaming near Kundapur government bus stand. Under the directions of DySP C B Patil, the police team led by circle inspector P M Diwakar questioned the accused and took them into custody. During interrogation, the accused admitted that they had stolen the idols and were planning to sell them off.

Kundapur police have registered a case and further investigations are on.