Two Arrested For Stealing Hockey Legend MM Somaya’s International Medals
The theft came to light after Somaya returned from a visit to his native Kodagu district on October 28.
Bengaluru: Two persons have been arrested for allegedly breaking into a house of Hockey Legend MM Somaya in Indiranagar and stealing international sports medals, gold and silver articles and cash. The police have recovered eight international medals, a camera, a Kodava sword and an Olympic bag. A two-wheeler allegedly used in the crime has also been seized.
The theft came to light after Somaya returned from a visit to his native Kodagu district on October 28. He found the front door lock broken and several valuables missing. The stolen items included gold, silver and bronze medals won at international sporting events including the Olympics, other gold and silver articles and cash.
A case was registered at the Indiranagar police station. The East Division police formed eight special teams under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Vikram Amate and the supervision of Halasuru Sub-Division Assistant Commissioner of Police Balakrishna C.
Acting on specific information gathered during the investigation, the police arrested the two accused near Hagalahalli Cross in Ramanagara on November 9, along with the two-wheeler allegedly used in the theft. The two have been identified as Manikya and Bharat. During interrogation, they reportedly admitted to committing the offence with the help of another friend, who is still absconding.
The two accused were produced before a court on November 10 and taken into eight days of police custody. They told investigators that they had sold one gold medal and one silver medal to a gold-buying company in Rajajinagar, while keeping the remaining medals at the residence of one of them near H Cross in Hoskote.
The police recovered the two medals from the company and six other medals, a Kodava sword, a camera and an Olympic bag from the accused's residence. Efforts are under way to trace the third person, and further investigation is in progress.
The operation was carried out by teams led by Indiranagar Inspector Anand N, along with inspectors Balraj of Hennur and Somashekar of Shivajinagar, and personnel from CCTV and technical analysis, crime records and property recovery teams.
Somaya expressed happiness over the recovery of the medals and thanked the police team for their efforts.