Himanshu Verma

Bengaluru Police Crack Housebreaking Case at Olympian M.M. Somaya’s Residence; 2 Arrested, 8 Medals Recovered ​Bengaluru The #BengaluruPolice have arrested two men in connection with the burglary at former Indian #hockey captain and #Olympian M.M. Somaya’s residence in #Indiranagar, recovering eight international medals alongside other stolen heirlooms and valuables. ​​The break-in occurred while Somaya and his family were visiting their native Kodagu district between October 25 and October 28. A neighbour alerted them that their front door was open. Upon returning to their home at 4th Cross, B.M. Kaval, the family discovered that the lock had been forced open and an assortment of gold, silver, and bronze sporting medals, cash, and other valuables were missing. A case was promptly registered at the Indiranagar Police Station. ​Following the complaint, eight special investigation teams comprising around 85 personnel from various ranks,led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Halasuru Sub-Division) under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Division),pursued leads across multiple angles, deploying technological tracing, human intelligence, and local informants. ​On November 9, officers intercepted the two suspects near Hagalahalli Cross in Ramanagara, seizing the two-wheeler utilized during the commission of the crime. The accused confessed during questioning to carrying out the burglary alongside an associate. ​The arrested individuals have been identified as: • ​Manikya alias Manikanta (31): A Bengaluru resident working as a laborer, who has a history of 33 cases against him across Karnataka (25 cases) and Tamil Nadu (8 cases), including three proclamations and six non-bailable warrants. • ​Bharat (25): Also a resident of Bengaluru, involved in two prior criminal cases. ​Both suspects were produced before the court on November 10 and remanded to police custody for eight days. ​Information elicited during interrogation led police to a gold company in Rajajinagar, where the duo had sold one gold and one silver international medal. The remaining items had been stashed at a residential property near H. Cross, Hoskote.​In total, police recovered: ​8 international medals (including gold, silver and bronze honors), ​1 traditional Kodava sword, ​1 Olympic kit bag, ​1 camera and ​1 two-wheeler used in the crime ​Addressing reporters, #Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh lauded the East Division personnel for tracking down the suspects and securing complete recovery within a fortnight of the complaint, announcing a ₹1 lakh reward for the investigative team. He noted that the primary accused is an interstate offender also being probed for additional criminal charges, including a murder case across state borders. ​Receiving his retrieved honors, an emotional #MMSomaya expressed deep relief and gratitude to the police force.​"I am really grateful to them; I feel I have won the Olympic medal once again," Somaya said, offering special praise to the Bengaluru Police officers for reassuring him from day one that the country's sporting heritage would be recovered. @seemantsingh96 @DcpEastBcp @indiranagaraps