Udupi: In a swift operation, Manipal police solved a motorcycle theft case within 11 hours of registering the complaint and arrested two habitual offenders, officials said on February 25.
According to police, the incident occurred on February 21 at around 9 am when Sudarshan parked his Bajaj Pulsar (KA-20-ED-6912) near Veera Maruti Bhajana Mandir at Rahulnagar in 80 Badagubettu village under Manipal police limits before heading to work nearby. When he returned later, the motorcycle was missing.
Complaint registered under BNS
After searching for the vehicle and failing to locate it, Sudarshan lodged a complaint at the Manipal Police Station on February 23 at about 8 am.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case in Crime No. 28/2026 under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with theft. Investigators immediately began tracing the accused using technical and field-level intelligence.
Officials stated that acting swiftly on leads, a special team tracked down the suspects and apprehended them within 11 hours of the case being registered, demonstrating prompt response and coordinated action.
Two habitual offenders arrested
The arrested accused have been identified as Sharath (26) and Ganesh (31), both residents of Netajinagar in 80 Badagubettu village in Udupi taluk.
During the operation, police recovered the stolen Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle bearing registration number KA-20-ED-6912 from their possession. The vehicle has since been seized as part of the investigation and will be returned to the rightful owner after completion of legal formalities.
Both accused were produced before the jurisdictional court and remanded to judicial custody.
Linked to multiple theft cases
Police revealed that Sharath and Ganesh are habitual offenders and are allegedly involved in more than 11 theft cases registered at various police stations across Karnataka. These include Manipal, Udupi Town, Bhadravati, Koppa, Thirthahalli, Madikeri and Tumakuru Extension police stations.
Investigators are verifying their involvement in other pending cases and examining whether they were part of a larger theft network operating across districts. Further inquiry is under way to ascertain if additional stolen vehicles can be recovered.
Swift action appreciated
Senior police officials commended the Manipal police team for their prompt response and effective investigation. The quick resolution of the case has been welcomed by local residents, who had expressed concern over rising vehicle theft incidents in residential areas.
Police have urged vehicle owners to adopt precautionary measures such as using additional locking systems, parking in well-lit areas and installing tracking devices where possible.
The successful recovery of the motorcycle within hours of registering the complaint has reinforced public confidence in local law enforcement, officials said, adding that strict action will continue against repeat offenders.