Mangalore : Two persons from Orissa were arrested at Kurnul on Karnataka-Andhra border on July 12, Friday on charges of theft of ancient idols from the Chaturvinshati Basadi in Bangadi. The theft had taken place on the night of June 17.

The arrested persons have been identified as  Das and Pramod from Orissa. The Panchaloha idol of Sri Adhinatha Swami worth several crores have been recovered from them. It may be recalled here that the apart from the above idol, even the idols of Vrishabhanatha Swamy, Dharmanatha Swamy, and Mahaveera Swamy had been stolen from the Basadi on the night of June 17.  Even the Basadi dedicated to Padmaprabha Theerthankara located in the same premises was burgled the same night.

It yet another theft reported on July 6, as many as 15 idols worth several crores had been stolen from the Siddantha Basadi.