Gadag: In a major breakthrough, the Lakshmeshwar police have arrested three individuals involved in a series of temple thefts across multiple districts, seizing gold jewellery and vehicles worth ₹46.22 lakh. The accused—Prasada, Pradeep, and Srikanta, all from Ranebennur—were apprehended following an intensive investigation.
Srikanta, the mastermind and a suspended jail warden, was found to have conspired with the others to target temples, identifying potential locations to steal gold jewellery. During interrogation, the trio confessed to committing thefts in temples located in Gadag, Vijayanagar, Haveri, and several other districts.
The investigation further revealed that Srikanta and Prasada were also involved in a murder related to the distribution of stolen jewellery. With their arrest, the police have managed to solve 15 pending cases linked to these thefts.
The Lakshmeshwar police were commended for their swift and efficient operation, which culminated in the capture of these inter-district criminals. In recognition of their work, the Belagavi North Zone Inspector General of Police announced a cash reward for the police team.
The successful operation was spearheaded by Shirahatti CPI Nagaraja Madalli, Lakshmeshwar PSI Erappa Rithi, and officer Maruthi S. Jogadandakar, along with their team of officers. Their coordinated efforts have brought relief to the affected districts, showcasing the importance of thorough investigation and cross-district collaboration in cracking down on organised crime.