Bhatkal: Bhatkal’s Durgaparameshwari Temple on Monday reported that its jewelry worth over 40 lakh rupees which were donated to the ‘Devi’ (Goddess) of the temple by the people, were stolen from the temple premises.
The temple authorities further added that a priest who was working at the temple was also missing ever since the incident came to light.
The temple administration in the police complaint identified the missing priest as Sathish Bhat, a resident of Yellapur. In the complaint, it is added that the incident came to the light when the Chief priest of the temple opened the jewelry box on the occasion of Navratri, to put the jewelry on the goddess.
The temple authorities reportedly tried contacting Sathish over the phone as he had the keys to jewelry locker. Unable to contact him over the phone, the administration decided to break open the locker on Saturday, as it was the ritual of the temple to put jewelry on the Goddess. It was then, the incident came to the light.
Sathish was working at the temple for the last one year but had not reported to the duty for over a month now. The authorities further added that they last spoke to Sathish on phone on Friday, but were unable to contact him on Saturday.
A case in this regard has been registered at Bhatkal Rural Police Station and investigations are underway. A special team has also been formed by Yellapur Police to trace Sathish Bhat.
