Mangaluru: A house burglary was reported under the limits of Punjalkatte police station, where unidentified miscreants decamped with gold ornaments and cash worth nearly Rs 19.3 lakh while the family was away at a temple festival.According to the complaint filed by D Murali, 50, a resident of Ballamanja in Belthangady taluk, he, along with his wife, mother and son, left their house around 6.40pm on Sunday to attend the Brahmakalasha festival at the Anantheshwara Temple in Ballamanja. Before leaving, they securely locked the house.After attending the puja, Murali’s wife Shantha, son Srivatsa and mother Lakshmi returned home around 8.30pm and found the front door partially open. On entering the house, they discovered that the bedroom cupboard had been broken open and clothes were scattered around. Murali was immediately informed, and upon inspection, it was confirmed that burglars forcibly broke the main door lock using a tool, entered the house and looted valuables.The stolen items include approximately 136g of gold ornaments, comprising chains, bracelets, rings, necklace, bangles, earrings, pendant and small gold pieces, collectively valued at around Rs 13.3 lakh. In addition, cash amounting to Rs 6 lakh, including Rs 3 lakh from agricultural income and Rs 3 lakh saved from priestly services, was also stolen. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at Rs 19.3 lakh. A case has been registered under Sections 331(3), 331(4) and 305 of the BNS and further investigation is underway.
