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Surathkal Police Arrest Two for Theft of Sacred Idols and Valuables; Property Worth ₹1.95 Lakh Recovered

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Posted on January 29, 2026

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Surathkal Police Arrest Two for Theft of Sacred Idols and Valuables; Property Worth ₹1.95 Lakh Recovered Mangaluru : The Surathkal police have successfully apprehended two individuals in connection with a burglary at a locked house in Kulai village, where sacred idols (Daiva) and other valuable items were stolen. The arrested suspects have been identified as Syed Ali (40), a resident of Belthangady, and Wajid J alias Waji (27), a resident of Bajpe currently staying in Surathkal. Following the arrest, the police recovered stolen assets estimated to be worth approximately ₹1.95 lakh, including silver and copper religious artifacts and electronic goods. The case originated from a complaint filed by Amitha (43), a resident near Yashoda Clinic in Kulai. According to the complaint, the sacred idols and ritual items were kept in her mother’s ancestral house, which remained unoccupied but was opened daily for prayers and lighting lamps. On the night of December 26, 2025, burglars gained entry by removing the roof tiles of the house. They decamped with a copper idol of Pasappa Daiva, a silver idol of Mantradevatha, copper idols of Kallurti Panjurli, a silver sword, copper bells, utensils, and an LED TV. A case was subsequently registered on December 27 under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The breakthrough in the investigation came through the meticulous review of CCTV footage from the surrounding areas, which led the police to Wajid J. Upon his arrest and subsequent interrogation, Wajid confessed to the crime and revealed that he had sold the stolen brass and copper items to a scrap dealer in Jokatte. Acting on this information, the police arrested the second suspect, Syed Ali, on January 27, 2026. The recovered items included the silver Mantradevatha idol, a silver umbrella and sword, various brass and copper puja articles, a TV with a set-top box, two mobile phones, and a scooter worth ₹30,000 which was reportedly stolen within the Kavoor police station limits. Police records reveal that Wajid J is a notorious criminal with a 'B' Rowdy Sheet maintained at the Surathkal police station. He has a vast criminal history spanning Mangaluru city, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Hassan districts, involving serious offenses such as attempted murder, robbery, housebreaking, cattle theft, and vehicle theft. He had also been absconding from court proceedings, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him. Both accused were produced before the court on January 28, 2026, and have been remanded to judicial custody.

Mangaluru : The Surathkal police have successfully apprehended two individuals in connection with a burglary at a locked house in Kulai village, where sacred idols (Daiva) and other valuable items were stolen. The arrested suspects have been identified as Syed Ali (40), a resident of Belthangady, and Wajid J alias Waji (27), a resident of Bajpe currently staying in Surathkal. Following the arrest, the police recovered stolen assets estimated to be worth approximately ₹1.95 lakh, including silver and copper religious artifacts and electronic goods.

The case originated from a complaint filed by Amitha (43), a resident near Yashoda Clinic in Kulai. According to the complaint, the sacred idols and ritual items were kept in her mother’s ancestral house, which remained unoccupied but was opened daily for prayers and lighting lamps. On the night of December 26, 2025, burglars gained entry by removing the roof tiles of the house. They decamped with a copper idol of Pasappa Daiva, a silver idol of Mantradevatha, copper idols of Kallurti Panjurli, a silver sword, copper bells, utensils, and an LED TV. A case was subsequently registered on December 27 under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The breakthrough in the investigation came through the meticulous review of CCTV footage from the surrounding areas, which led the police to Wajid J. Upon his arrest and subsequent interrogation, Wajid confessed to the crime and revealed that he had sold the stolen brass and copper items to a scrap dealer in Jokatte. Acting on this information, the police arrested the second suspect, Syed Ali, on January 27, 2026. The recovered items included the silver Mantradevatha idol, a silver umbrella and sword, various brass and copper puja articles, a TV with a set-top box, two mobile phones, and a scooter worth ₹30,000 which was reportedly stolen within the Kavoor police station limits.

Police records reveal that Wajid J is a notorious criminal with a ‘B’ Rowdy Sheet maintained at the Surathkal police station. He has a vast criminal history spanning Mangaluru city, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Hassan districts, involving serious offenses such as attempted murder, robbery, housebreaking, cattle theft, and vehicle theft. He had also been absconding from court proceedings, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him. Both accused were produced before the court on January 28, 2026, and have been remanded to judicial custody.