Date:30/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/30/stories/2006053022530400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Elderly man murdered, temple looted

Staff Reporter

Silver crown, ornaments stolen

BANGALORE: Armed men allegedly murdered an elderly man, who was sleeping on the precincts of a temple, in Channapatna taluk in Bangalore Rural district in the early hours of Monday, and made away with the silver ornaments adorning the deity at the temple.

The police said the incident occurred around 2 a.m. at the Kothnahalli Maramma temple at Muniyappana Doddi village in Channapatna Rural police station limits.

Bludgeoned to death

The robbers bludgeoned to death Siddaiah (65) who was sleeping in front of the temple.

Later, they broke into the temple, situated in the centre of the village, and decamped with a silver crown and other ornaments, the police said.

Villagers alerted

While escaping, the robbers focussed a torch on Venkatachala, who was sleeping in front of his house, situated near the temple.

Venkatachala, who had heard some screams a few minutes ago, woke up and went around the area. He found Siddaiah lying dead in a pool of blood in front of the temple and alerted the villagers. The police said that a week ago, the annual fair was held at the temple.

As part of the fair, the presiding deity had been decorated with silver ornaments. Someone who was aware of it could have committed the crime, the police suspect. The Channapatna Rural police have registered a case.