In a distressing incident at a religious festival in Udupi district, an elderly woman became the victim of a bold theft, losing a precious gold chain from her neck. The event has prompted a police investigation and raised concerns about safety at crowded public gatherings.
The Festival Visit Turns Sour
Kamala, a 78-year-old resident of Hejamady village in Kaup, left her home around 12:30 PM on Wednesday to attend the Nemotsava festival. The shrine hosting the event was located near her residence. For the occasion, she was wearing a gold chain weighing approximately three sovereigns. She was accompanied by her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter for support and company.
After completing her prayers and having darshan of the deity, Kamala remained at the venue. Merely 15 minutes after her arrival, at around 12:45 PM, a relative named Sharada Poojary noticed something was amiss. She alerted Kamala that the valuable gold chain was no longer around her neck.
Frantic Search and Growing Suspicion
Upon realizing the chain was missing, Kamala and her family members immediately began a thorough search. They scoured the premises and the surrounding area, hoping to find the misplaced jewellery. However, their efforts proved futile, and the chain could not be located.
During the anxious search, Kamala recalled an encounter that now seemed suspicious. She remembered interacting with three unidentified women at the festival venue. A growing suspicion led her to believe that these individuals might be responsible for the disappearance of her chain. She promptly conveyed her doubts to her concerned family members.
CCTV Evidence and Police Action
The matter was formally reported to the temple administration at 5 PM on Thursday. Authorities then took a crucial step by reviewing the CCTV footage recorded by cameras installed at the shrine. The video evidence confirmed the family's worst fears.
The footage allegedly showed the three unidentified women executing the theft. According to the police, the suspects stole the gold chain by distracting Kamala under the false pretext of offering her some form of assistance. This deliberate act of deception allowed them to remove the chain weighing about three sovereigns from the elderly complainant's neck.
Based on Kamala's formal complaint and the corroborating CCTV evidence, the Padubidri police have registered a case. The investigation is now underway to identify and apprehend the three women seen in the footage. The incident serves as a stark reminder for devotees, especially the elderly, to remain vigilant about their personal belongings in crowded spiritual and festival settings.
