Mangaluru: Gold jewellery weighing around 321 grams, along with cash and coins, was stolen from a locked house at Thirumalaguttu in Kilpady village under Mulki police limits while the residents were away on Saturday.
The burglary came to light after the residents returned home in the evening and found that the front door had been broken open. Mulki police have registered a case and formed two teams to trace the persons responsible for the theft.
The stolen valuables include several pieces of gold jewellery, Rs 10,000 in cash and coins worth around Rs 2,000. Police are examining CCTV footage and other evidence from the area as part of the investigation.
House left unattended during the day
The house belongs to Shakeela Poojary, who lives there with her husband Harish.
According to the report, Harish left home for work on Saturday morning. Shakeela subsequently left the house on a two-wheeler along with Dilshad, a tenant who lives on the upper floor.
The two travelled to Mulki by bus before visiting Shanaishchara Temple at Padu Panambur, Pavanje Temple and Karnad Santhe.
When they returned home in the evening, they reportedly noticed that the house had been burgled.
The absence of houses immediately around the property is believed to have meant that there were no nearby residents to notice the suspicious activity during the day.
Burglars break iron door latch
The burglars reportedly forced their way into the house by breaking the latch of the iron door at the front.
According to the complaint, the door latch appeared to have been struck with a heavy tool to gain entry. After entering the house, the intruders reportedly opened a cupboard and removed the gold jewellery kept inside.
The stolen jewellery included six bangles, a kanthahara, two chains, four pairs of earrings, 15 rings and a karimani chain.
The total weight of the stolen gold jewellery was reported to be around 321 grams, equivalent to approximately 39 pavan.
The burglars also reportedly took Rs 10,000 in cash and coins valued at around Rs 2,000.
Clothes, including a churidar belonging to Shakeela’s daughter, were also reportedly taken.
One karimani chain was left behind inside the house. The burglars are also reported to have latched the gate from inside before leaving the property.
Police teams launched search
Mulki police began an investigation after receiving the complaint.
A dog squad and fingerprint experts visited the house to collect evidence. Mulki police station officer Srikanth also inspected the scene.
Police have formed two teams to trace the burglars and establish how they entered the house and escaped with the valuables.
One team is examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas. Investigators are also checking cameras located near the railway track, which could provide information about the movement of suspects or vehicles around the area.
Another police team is conducting searches and verification in and around Mulki and nearby border areas.
At the time of the report, police had not obtained preliminary information publicly identifying the suspects.
Residents raise concerns over thefts
The burglary has caused concern among residents of the Kilpady-Shimanthur area, particularly because other theft incidents have reportedly occurred in the wider Mulki region recently.
Residents pointed to an earlier theft of gold jewellery worth lakhs of rupees from a house in the Kavatharu area under Mulki police limits.
In another incident, valuables belonging to a deity were reportedly stolen from the Kilpady Kordabbu Daivasthana.
The recent incidents have led local residents to call for stronger police patrolling in the area.
Residents also reportedly said that suspicious sounds of someone knocking on a nearby house had been heard a few days before the recent theft at the Kilpady Kordabbu Daivasthana. They claimed that police patrol personnel had been informed about the incident.
These concerns have added to demands for increased surveillance and regular night patrols in areas where houses are relatively isolated.
CCTV footage being examined
The investigation is currently focused on identifying the persons who entered the house and determining the route they took after the burglary.
CCTV footage from nearby roads and railway-track areas could help investigators establish the movement of suspects.
Police are also expected to examine fingerprints and other forensic evidence collected from the house.
The presence of suspicious persons in the vicinity before the burglary, as mentioned by the homeowner, is another aspect that investigators may examine while reconstructing the sequence of events.
No suspect has been publicly identified in connection with the case at the time of the available report.
Investigation continues
The burglary has highlighted security concerns for residents living in isolated houses in the Kilpady and surrounding areas.
With the house left unattended for several hours, the burglars reportedly had an opportunity to force open the entrance and search the property without being noticed.
Police have now intensified efforts to identify those responsible. The two investigation teams are examining CCTV footage, conducting checks in and around Mulki and looking for possible leads from the railway-track area.
The recovery of the stolen jewellery and identification of the suspects will be key developments in the investigation.
Conclusion
A house at Thirumalaguttu in Kilpady village, near Mulki, was burgled while the residents were away, with around 321 grams of gold jewellery, Rs 10,000 cash and coins worth Rs 2,000 reported stolen. Mulki police have registered a case and formed two teams to trace the burglars.