Sandalwood tree stolen from minister's quarters

A sandalwood tree was chopped and stolen from the social welfare minister’s official quarters at the Seven Ministers’ Quarters on Sankey Road on Monday night.

Unidentified miscreants entered the official quarters of Priyank Kharge, chopped the tree and took away its trunk. The High Grounds police have registered a case and have formed a team to catch the accused. Earlier, these quarters were allocated to former minister T B Jayachandra and later to Priyank Kharge, who is yet to move in due to the ongoing renovation. The miscreants who noticed this, chopped the 30-year-old tree, said police officer.

He added that only one security guard was deployed at the quarters. On Monday morning, when the guard was away, miscreants, scaled the compound wall, cut the tree and took away the trunk. Police suspect the role of those working in the quarters in the crime.

Ministers Ramesh Jarkiholi, Bandeppa Kashempur and high court judge Justice S N Sathyanarayana stay on the other quarters, which have more security.