Three Women Arrested in Rs 80,000 Theft Case at Kollur Temple
Udupi: Kollur Police have solved a theft case involving the alleged stealing of Rs 80,000 in cash from a devotee’s vanity bag at the Shri Mookambika Temple in Kollur within 24 hours, arresting three women in connection with the incident.
The accused have been identified as Netravathi (33), Sharada (50), and Durgamma (44), all residents of Bhadravathi in Shivamogga district.
According to police, the incident occurred on July 5, when devotee Nimisha and her husband Prajosh had completed their prayers at the Shri Mookambika Temple. At around 8:20 a.m., after stepping out of the temple premises, Nimisha noticed that the zip of her brown vanity bag had been opened. On inspecting the bag, she found that her purse, which contained around Rs 80,000 in cash, was missing.
The couple searched the temple premises and nearby areas, but the purse could not be traced. Based on Nimisha’s complaint alleging theft by unknown persons, Kollur Police registered a case and launched an immediate investigation.
Under the guidance of Kundapur Sub-Division Deputy Superintendent of Police H.D. Kulkarni and Byndoor Circle Inspector Shivakumar, a special investigation team was formed. The team was led by Kollur Police Station Sub-Inspector Vinay M. Korlahalli, Investigating Officer PSI Bhimashankar, and other personnel.
During the investigation, police examined **CCTV footage**, photographs taken by members of the public at the scene, and other technical evidence to identify the suspects. Their efforts led to the arrest of all three women within 24 hours of the complaint being filed. The accused were produced before the court and later remanded to judicial custody.
Preliminary inquiry has revealed that the arrested women have prior criminal records related to theft. Police said Durgamma is involved in two earlier theft cases—one registered at Lashkar Police Station in Mysuru and another at Old Town Police Station in Bhadravathi.
Similarly, Sharada has three prior theft cases registered against her, including two at the Bengaluru City Railway Police Station and one at Ashokapuram Police Station in Mysuru.
Police have stated that further investigation into the case is in progress.