Kuvempu medal theft: Police grill all

SHIVAMOGGA: With no clues about burglars who decamped with Padma awards and other valuables from the ancestral home-turned-museum of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu at Kuppali, police officers of Shivamogga district decided on Wednesday to question everyone connected with the Jnanpeeth laureate’s place—office staff and members of Kuvempu Pratishtana, gardeners, cleaners, and security guards—in order to track down the criminals.

Read | Theft at Kuvempu house, Padma awards stolen

Superintendent of Police, Ravi. D. Channannavar, said a team comprising two additional superintendents, three deputy superintendents and four inspectors has been constituted to crack the case. “The watchman on duty should have been more alert when he heard noise from inside,” he added. The local police have obtained only one CCTV clipping which was released on Monday evening but have no other clues about those who broke in and took away the medals. Additional Superintendent of Police Mr Vishnuvardhan, who has camped in Tirthahalli after the burglary came to light, said security has been stepped up at Kuvempu’s ancestral house.

Explaining about the burglary, deputy superintendent (Tirthahalli) Mr Ramachandra said the watchman at the  entrance gate heard some noise from inside the monument around 8.30 pm. He rushed to the main door and tried to open it, but it was locked from inside. Then, he alerted people at a canteen nearby and also authorities of Kuvempu Pratishtana. By the time the authorities opened the main door, the thieves had escaped.

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