Moodbidri : District minister and state minister for forest and ecology Ramanatha Rai has assured a thorough probe into the Siddantha Mandira theft case of Moodbidri.

Rai visited the Basadi on July 10, Wednesday and also spoke to the Jain Mutt seer Swasthi Shree Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji on the issue.

Rai said he would speak to the government and ensure that there was a probe into the case through the Home Ministry. Thieves who had made their way into the Basadi recently had decamped with precious idols worth nearly Rs 13 crores.

Rai also said a police outpost will be opened at Jainapete soon.

The Jain Mutt seer demanded installation of CCTV at vital points as a security measure. Mangalore Police Commissioner Manish Karbikar, Assistant Commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu and others were present.