Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 14: A curious case, in which gold ornaments were stolen from a house located in a deserted place in Inna Kurkilbettu on May 1 this year, has been solved by the police. All those living in the neighbourhood, who belonged to a single lineage, had been away that day, participating in the annual rituals performed at a far off Brahmasthana of their family deity, when the thieves had entered one of the houses and taken away gold ornaments in the afternoon.

Reshma Hegde (25), resident of Vinanti House in Lakshmindranagar in the town, and Rajesh Acharya (32), resident of Badagubettu Indiranagar here, have been identified as the culprits in the above case. Both of them have been arrested, and valuables worth five lac rupees have been confiscated. They were produced in a court in Karkala on Friday evening, upon which both were remanded to judicial custody till May 16.

The sniffer dog and finger print experts had given a clue about the involvement of family members and known persons in the incident. The policemen also got information that a Maruti Omni car had come to the area that day. The policemen have also taken into possession iron implements used for the theft, a Maruti Omni car, two mobile phones, 110 grams of gold ornaments sold to a prestigious show room in the town, and 102 grams of ornaments found in the possession of the accused. The total worth of these things has been put at five lac rupees. Reshma Hegde, after selling the gold ornaments, had bought ornaments in exchange thereof, and then availed of a loan by pledging the new ornaments in a cooperative bank here.

Reshma is well-known to Vimala’s family. On that day, Reshma, along with driver, Rajesh Acharya, had visited Kurkilbettu for attending a marriage. Reshma had collected information from her relative, Rati Shedti, living near Vimala’s house, that there was no one at the latter’s home that afternoon. She also had called the family members of Vimala Shedti over mobile to ensure that no one was at home. Once this was known, she encouraged her friend and driver of her vehicle, Rajesh Acharya, to enter the house and steal the ornaments.

Karkala deputy superintendent of police, Santosh Kumar, said that Reshma is the wife of a former president of a Hindu organization, and mother of twins. The policemen, by cracking the case, have come in for lavish praise from the villagers and their superiors.