Udupi: The Kollur Police have solved a theft case within 24 hours by arresting three women accused of stealing ₹80,000 in cash from a devotee’s vanity bag at the Kollur Mookambika Temple.
The accused have been identified as Nethravathi (33), Sharada (50) and Durgamma (44), all residents of Bhadravathi in Shivamogga district.
According to the police, the swift detection of the case was made possible with the help of CCTV footage, photographs taken by members of the public and other technical evidence.
Cash stolen from devotee’s bag
Police said the incident occurred on July 5, when Nimisha and her husband Prajosh visited the Kollur Mookambika Temple to offer prayers.
At around 8.20 am, after coming out of the temple premises, Nimisha noticed that the zip of her brown vanity bag had been opened.
On checking the bag, she discovered that her purse containing ₹80,000 in cash was missing.
The couple searched the temple surroundings but could not locate the missing purse or the cash.
Investigation leads to quick arrests
Following the incident, Nimisha lodged a complaint at the Kollur Police Station, after which a theft case was registered.
Police immediately launched an investigation by examining CCTV footage from the temple premises and analysing photographs captured by members of the public. Investigators also relied on other technical evidence to identify the suspects.
Based on the evidence collected, the police traced and arrested all three accused within 24 hours of registering the case.
The accused were subsequently produced before the jurisdictional court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
Accused have previous theft cases
Police said two of the arrested women have a criminal history involving similar offences.
According to the investigation, Durgamma is already facing two theft cases, one registered at Lashkar Police Station in Mysuru and another at Old Town Police Station in Bhadravathi.
Meanwhile, Sharada has three previous theft cases registered against her, including two cases by the Bengaluru City Railway Police and one case at Ashokapuram Police Station in Mysuru.
Police are examining whether the accused may have been involved in similar thefts targeting devotees at temples and other crowded public places.
Police urge devotees to remain vigilant
The successful detection of the case within a day has been appreciated as a prompt response by the Kollur Police.
Officials have also advised devotees visiting temples and other crowded places to remain alert and keep a close watch on their belongings, especially cash, jewellery and valuables.
Police said investigations are continuing to determine whether the accused are linked to other theft cases reported in different parts of Karnataka.