Stolen gold worth Rs 20.4L recovered in temple theft case

Udupi: Gangolli police have recovered gold worth Rs 20.4 lakh in connection with a theft at Gangolli Kharvikeri Sri Mahankali Temple.
The incident involved the theft of the temple's original gold ornaments, which were allegedly replaced with fake ones. With a case being registered, police arrested Narasimha Bhat, 43, the temple priest who is from Sirsi.The incident came to light on Sept 21. During interrogation, the accused admitted to the crime and revealed that he had pledged the stolen ornaments in various banks and cooperative societies for personal gain.
Police recovered 256g of gold ornaments, including a 40g gold necklace worth Rs 3.2 lakh, a 73g gold necklace (with Havala) worth Rs 5.8 lakh, a 73g karimani necklace valued at Rs 5.8 lakh, three thalis weighing six grams valued at Rs 48,000, and a 64g gold necklace worth Rs 5.1 lakh. All recovered items have been seized.