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Margao

Two unknown persons posing as devotees entered the premises of Shree Mahalaxmi temple at Khariwada-Vasco and stole a gold necklace and a mangalsutra entirely worth Rs 1.92 lakh that was used to decorate idol of Goddess Mahalaxmi.

The gold necklace weighed 28 grams and was worth Rs 1.12 lakh while the mangalsutra weighed 20 grams and was worth Rs 80,000. The idol of Goddess Mahalaxmi was adorned with the ornaments for Laxmi Puja festivities.

According to sources in police, two of the gold ornaments that adorned the idol of Goddess Mahalaxmi for Laxmi Puja were found missing. The temple committee has lodged a complaint with Vasco police.

According to information, every year the Mahalaxmi Utsav Samiti under the banner of Murgao Hindu Samaj organises Laxmi Puja at the temple premises. A police team visited the place and conducted panchanama. A dog squad and finger print expert was pressed into service and further investigation is in progress.

According to Vasco police, as per the complaint by a temple committee member, an unknown couple entered into the temple premises and committed the theft.

According to the sources in police, one alleged accused is in his forties and wore a white colour half sleeves shirt and a blue colour pant while the woman accused wore a pink chudidar with white dupatta. Police said that both with their common on the pretext as devotees sought the security’s guard permission and reached near the worshipped idol of goddess Mahalaxmi which was installed in the pandal and allegedly committed the theft. Vasco police have registered a case under Section 380 read with 34 IPC and are conducting investigations.