Theft at Daivasthanas: Accused arrested within 24 hours of crime!

Team Udayavani, Jul 15, 2024, 9:48 AM IST

Kaup: A thief who stole from donation boxes at daisvasthanas under Udupi and Kaup police station limits was caught while in deep slumber, which locals believe was caused by divine intervention.

The accused, Mudukappa Balappa Bidari (23), is a resident near Nav Nagar ITI College in Bagalkot district.

Bidari allegedly stole the donation box from Chitpady Babbuswami Daivasthana near Diana Theatre, Kasturba Nagar, Udupi, between the night of July 4 and the morning of July 5. He reportedly also stole from the Babbuswami Daivasthana near Katapadi Forest Gate on the night of July 6.

CCTV footage captured the scenes of the theft of the donation boxes, and the temple administrations filed complaints with the police.

Divine Intervention?

Following the theft on July 6, the temple administration conducted a collective prayer and made an offering to the deity, who reportedly assured that the thief would be revealed within 24 hours.

On the morning of July 7, Bidari was found sleeping near the Udupi KSRTC bus stand. A member of the Chitpady Kukkikatte Daivasthana administration, who had come to drop off a passenger, noticed him sleeping until 8 AM.

Recognizing him as the thief from the CCTV footage, he immediately informed the Udupi police. The police arrived and took Bidari into custody.

During intense questioning, Bidari reportedly confessed to stealing the donation boxes from Chitpady and Katapady Daivasthanas. He also admitted to previous thefts from Doddanagudde and Bailoor Daivasthanas.

Srinivas, the secretary of the Chitpady Daivastahana administration, stated that the swift apprehension of the donation box thief within 24 hours demonstrates that the divine power and miracles of the deity are still very strong in Tulu Nadu.