Kundapur, Jun 6: Three persons were arrested in connection with the theft of ancient idols from a Jain Basadi a year ago. The Kundapur police, who arrested the theifs, also recovered seven Panchaloha Mahaveer stolen idols from them on Thursday June 5.
Chandra Naik (28), a resident of Madur in Jadkal, Ashok Mogaveera (25) of Maddugudde, and Ravi (29) of Heroor near Arahole, Byndoor are the arrested persons and were produced in court.
The idols were stolen about a year ago, from Mahaveer Jain Basadi located at Mogaveerapatna at Kokkarne near Brahmavar. Ashok Mogaveera 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.
The accused were spotted lingering around suspiciously near Kundapur government bus stand on Thursday evening.
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 lakh, sources said.
Kundapur police have registered a case and further investigations are on.
