Idols, valuables stolen from locked house in Mangaluru's Surathkal, two arrested

Mangaluru: Surathkal police have arrested two persons in connection with the theft of daiva idols and valuables from a locked house.

The incident happened in the Surathkal police station limits.

Commissioner of police Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said the arrested are Wajeed J alias Waji (27), a resident of Bajpe in Mangaluru, currently staying in Surathkal and one Syed Ali of Jokatte.

The complainant, Amitha (43), of Kulai stated that idols of local daivas and related pooja articles were kept in her mother’s house, where no one was residing. The family would only visit the house to perform pooja, light lamps and lock it thereafter.

According to the complaint, on the night of December 26, 2025, unidentified persons removed roof tiles, gained entry into the house and stole valuables worth around Rs 1 lakh. The stolen items comprised of a copper idol of Pasappa Daiva, a silver idol of Mantradevata, copper idols of Kallurti Panjurli Daiva, a silver sword (khadga), copper bells, copper vessels and an LED television.

Based on the complaint, Surathkal police registered a case under Sections 331(4) and 305(A) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on December 27, 2025. During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage and used technical evidence, leading to the arrest of Wajeed.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to committing the theft and revealed that the brass and copper articles were sold to one Syed Ali. Based on the information, police arrested Syed Ali (40) on January 27, said the commissioner.

Police recovered stolen property worth approximately Rs 1.95 lakh, including a silver Mantradevata idol, umbrella, sword, brass pooja items worth Rs 2,750, copper pooja items worth Rs 300, a TV and set-top box worth Rs 2,000, two mobile phones used by the accused, and a scooter worth Rs 30,000 stolen from Kavoor police station limits.

The commissioner said that the prime accused, Wajeed has a ‘B’ rowdy sheet and MOB opened against him at Surathkal police station. He is involved in several criminal cases across Mangaluru City, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Hassan districts, including cases of attempt to murder, robbery, cattle theft, house theft and vehicle theft. He had also absconded without appearing before the court, following which a warrant had been issued.

Both arrested were produced before the court on January 28, and have been remanded in judicial custody.