Udupi: A woman’s mangalsutra was allegedly stolen at the Amrutheshwari Temple in Kota, Brahmavar taluk, amid a heavy rush of devotees during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The incident took place as a large number of people gathered at the temple for the festival.
According to the report, the woman was receiving teertha near the sanctum when the alleged theft took place. Taking advantage of the crowded conditions, the suspects reportedly targeted her and fled with the mangalsutra.
The incident was captured on the temple’s CCTV cameras, which are now being examined by the police as part of the investigation. Preliminary information indicates that three women may have been involved in the alleged theft.
Theft reported during Ganesh Chaturthi rush
The incident occurred at a time when the Kota Amrutheshwari Temple was witnessing a significant gathering of devotees for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Religious celebrations and special temple visits often draw large crowds, with devotees queuing up near the sanctum and other areas of the temple premises. The alleged thieves are suspected to have taken advantage of the crowd and the movement of devotees.
The woman was reportedly near the sanctum to receive teertha when her mangalsutra was allegedly taken.
Such crowded areas can make it difficult for victims to immediately notice the removal of jewellery, particularly when people are standing close together.
CCTV footage helps investigation
The alleged theft was captured by the temple’s CCTV cameras. The footage is expected to help investigators identify the people involved and establish how the incident occurred.
Preliminary information suggests that three women may have been involved in the alleged theft. Police are examining the available footage as part of their investigation.
CCTV footage from religious places can be particularly useful in cases involving theft during festivals, as the movement of people around the premises may provide investigators with clues about the suspects’ identities and movements.
The footage may also help police determine whether the suspects arrived together and how they left the temple after the alleged incident.
Kota police register case
The Kota police have registered a case in connection with the alleged theft and launched an investigation.
The police are relying on the CCTV footage and other available information to identify the suspects. Further details, including the value of the stolen mangalsutra and the identity of the woman, were not provided in the report.
The investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and whether the same suspects may be connected to similar incidents elsewhere.
Festival crowds require extra caution
The incident also highlights the need for devotees to remain careful with valuables while visiting crowded temples and other public places during festivals.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations across coastal Karnataka have drawn large gatherings, with temples and public venues witnessing increased footfall. Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts have also made extensive security arrangements for Ganeshotsava events and idol immersion programmes.
In such crowded surroundings, devotees are generally advised to keep jewellery, mobile phones, wallets and other valuables secure and remain alert to people moving around them.
The Kota temple incident has added to concerns over thefts taking place in crowded religious gatherings, although the police investigation will establish the exact circumstances of the case.
Police examine suspects through CCTV
With CCTV footage available, investigators are expected to focus on identifying the three women who are suspected to have been involved.
Police may also examine footage from areas surrounding the temple to establish the movements of the suspects before and after the alleged theft.
For now, the involvement of the suspected individuals remains part of the police investigation, and no guilt has been established against any particular person.
The case comes amid heightened activity at temples and other public places during the Ganesh Chaturthi period, when large crowds gather for religious celebrations.
The investigation by Kota police is continuing, with CCTV footage likely to play a key role in tracing those allegedly responsible for the theft.