Mangaluru: The notorious burglary case of Vasudeva Asranna, priest of Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple was solved by the City Crime Branch and Bajpe Police as informed by the Commissioner of Police on Monday, October 17. All the five involved have been arrested, their belongings and loot seized.

Speaking to the members of the media, Mangaluru Commissioner of Police M Chandra Sekhar mentioned that the key accused, Sudheendra Rao unable to pay several loans which made him resort to looting the priest’s house. “Sudheendra knew about the huge amount of wealth stashed in Asranna’s house through some of his relatives who were working at the temple where Asranna is the priest. Sudheendra had many businesses and had obtained loans. But when he realized he could not repay the loans, he planned on conducting a burglary along with the others”, said Chandra Sekhar.

The five arrested are of various backgrounds and are identified as Sudheedra Rao H K alias Sudheendra (33) resident of Bejai Kapikad, Chidananda (33) and Suraj Kumar (35) of Ekkaru, Suresh Kumar M (40) of Punacha village in Bantwal and Sadashiva Shetty (49) from Thenka village near Bajpe. The police seized a significant amount of gold and cash. Rs 4.25 lakh cash, 3.910 grams of gold, five mobile phones and a car used during the burglary were seized by the police.

Chandra Sekhar also revealed that there is a handiwork of a government employee. Suresh Kumar, a Public Relation Officer (PRO) in Kateel temple under the Muzrai department for the past six years was accused of helping Sudheendra in planning the heist.

Sadashiva Shetty is accused of driving Sudheendra to Asranna’s house. Chidananda and Suraj Kumar had helped in the planning phase as well.  The four arrested (excluding Sudheendra) were indirectly involved in this burglary. There is another group of six led by Lizo from Uppinangady who are at large and are yet to be arrested.