Moodbidri: Jain Basadi Burglary – Key Accused Presented in Court

By Ashritha D Souza
Bellevision Media Network

Moodbidri, 29 Jul 2013: The sleuths on Saturday July 27 arrested the key accused Ghanshyamdas, from Srikulam district of Andhra Pradesh, related to burglary of 15 idols of historical significance from Siddanta mandir, Jain Basadi, here.  The police department was able to make breakthrough within 22 days of burglary.

 

The key accused Ghanshyamdas was brought to Mangalore on Sunday July 28.  Ghanshyamdas was changing SIM of his mobile after his wife Deepti Mohanti and father-in-law Digambar Mohanti were arrested.  He was arrested by Andhra Pradesh police.  The police personnel of Bhuvaneshwar and Mangalore have expedited the investigations.

 

Probe in Moodbidri

The key accused Ghanshyamdas was brought to Moodbidri town police station from Mangalore on Monday July 29 morning.  He was taken to the burglary spot and presented before the civil court here at 11.30am on Monday.

 

Background of the case

The masked burglars equipped with gas cutters made an opening by cutting window to get access inside Siddanta mandir, Jain Basadi, here on Saturday July 6 between 1.00am to 4.00pm.   They further cut the shutter and grill, broke glass to land in the sanctuary and decamped with precious idols.

Although there wee a total of 8 CCTV cameras, it could capture a few movements of burglars as they cut off the cables.  The siren was not kept in active mode that was a blessing in disguise for the burglars.  It’s significant that the burglars left behind gas cutters, cylinder and a bag.  The sniffer-dogs and fingerprint experts gathered clue from the crime spot.

 

Newspaper revealed clue

A newspaper that was published from Odisha was found in the bag that was left behind by the burglars on the crime spot.  The police crosschecked the outgoing calls made from Moodbidri to various destinations of Odisha and north India, which proved their doubt that the burglars were of Odisha origin.  The police have vital clues to carry out further investigations.

 

What next

As the police have key accused Ghanashyamdas, his wife Deepti and father-in-law Digambar in their custody, the intensive interrogations will unravel vital leads on the burgled idols.  Since a few idols are melted, they have lost their ancient original shape.  The investigations are to be held on recovering other idols.

 

 

International mafia, local source to be ascertained

As the burglary was systematically carried out, the involvement of locals cannot be denied.  The early investigations revealed international mafia on ancient artifacts is involved.  It was suspected that the idols have made it to Nepal.

Stages of burglary

July 5: Burglary at Siddanta mandir, wherein ancient idols burgled at the wee hours.

 

July 6: Burglary was come to light on Saturday morning.  Charukirti Swami, Dr D Veerendra Heggade and Jain community veterans visited the spot and urged the law enforcement agencies to expedite investigations.

 

July 7: The sketch of suspected accused released.

 

July 7: Charukirti Bhattaraka Swami of Siddanta mandir cut shorts his US tour and returns and holds meeting here with Jain community elders.

 

July 10: Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge minister B Ramanat Rai visits the burglary spot and assures to set up police outpost soon in the vicinity.

 

July 11: MP Nalin Kumar Kateel visits burglary spot and assures to draw the attention of union government on security.

 

The sources of Rastrapati Bhavan  seeks information on burglary and it was decided to send a delegation led by Tamil Nadu minority community unit president Sudhir Jain to Rastrapati Bhavan.

 

July 12: The rumors that 2 accused related to this case were nabbed in Kolar that was denied by police sources.

 

July 13: The town police arrest the key accused Ghanashyamdas, his wife Deepti and father-in-law Digambar from Shailashree guest house, Bhuvaneshwar, Odisha. 

 

July 15: The union minster Veerappa Moily visits the location and offers assurances of police outpost.

 

July 16: Two accused were presented before the judge at Moodbidri.  They were again presented before the court on July 17 and the court awarded judicial custody till Tuesday July 30.

 

July 19: The court proceedings were held and extended custody for 3 more days from July 20.

 

July 23: The state home minister assures to nab the key accused at the earliest. The bail plea set for July 25.

 

July 25: Court denies bail to 2 accused in judicial custody.

 

July 26: Moodbidri police leaves for Odisha.

 

July 27: The key accused Ghanshayamdas arrested.