Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Jun 6: Kundapur police on Thursday June 5 arrested three persons in connection with the theft of ancient idols from a Jain Basadi a year ago. The police also recovered the stolen idols from them.

The arrested are Chandra Naik (28), a resident of Madur in Jadkal, Ashok Mogaveera (25) of Maddugudde, and Ravi (29) of Heroor near Arahole, Byndoor. They were produced in court.

Seven Panchaloha Mahaveer idols were seized from them.

The idols were stolen from Mahaveer Jain Basadi located at Mogaveerapatna at Kokkarne near Brahmavar. About a year ago, Ashok Mogaveera visted his relatives who stay close to the Basadi, and reportedly hatched a plan to steal the idols with the help of his friends. Accordingly, they stole seven idols and hid them in a forest near accused Ravi's house.

As per tradition, the Jain Basadi organizes a grand religious programme once in a year. As the idols were stolen after the annual programme, the theft did not come to the notice of the administrative committee of the Basadi. Hence, no complaint was filed.

Moreover, no one knew about the theft as the idols have been lying untouched in the forest for the past one year.

On Thursday evening, the accused were spotted lingering around suspiciously 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 said that they had stolen the idols and were planning to sell them off.

The idols that were recovered are said to be over 500 years old. Each idol, weighing over 4 kg, is worth at least Rs 50 lac, sources said.

Among the three arrested, Chandra Naik had been caught by the police about two years ago for stealing idols.

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