Bicholim Police have arrested a 72-year-old man for allegedly stealing a silver Rudraksh mala from the Shree Sai Seva Dham temple at Tarwada, Pilgao.
The complaint was lodged by Mahadev Jagannath Vengurlekar (70), a resident of Tarwada, who reported that between October 6 and November 25, an unknown person entered the temple by unlocking the door and stole a silver Rudraksh mala weighing 344.920 grams, valued at approximately ₹22,000.
During the investigation, police reviewed CCTV footage from the temple, which captured the accused, identified as Kolla Ramu Vadar (72) of Sonarpeth, Bicholim, entering the shrine, removing the silver mala from the idol’s neck, and fleeing.
Based on the footage, the police traced and arrested Vadar on November 27 at 1:53 pm. He has been remanded to police custody while the investigation continues.
Further inquiry is being carried out by PSI Krishna Gawas of the Bicholim Police Station to determine if the accused is connected to any other thefts or similar incidents in the area.
