Date:26/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/26/stories/2006112608240500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Ancient idol, valuables stolen from temple

Staff Reporter

Three kg gold idol estimated to be around Rs. 30 lakhs

ANANTAPUR: An ancient idol made of about 3 kg gold and other valuables were allegedly stolen from Renuka Yellamma temple in Boruvayi village of Nallacheruvu mandal in the wee hours of Saturday.

The value of the stolen idol and valuable was estimated to be about Rs. 30 lakhs.

According to the police, a robber gang allegedly cut the latches if the temple doors with a hacksaw blade to gain entry.

They removed the gold idol of the presiding deity and then broke open an `almirah' and took away ornaments of the goddess made of about 3 kg silver and about half-kg gold.

Complaint lodged

The police suspect that the robbery could have taken place after 1 a.m. on Saturday.

The police registered a case based on a complaint lodged by temple priests Narasimhulu and Venkataramana.

A trustee of the temple Ramalinga Reddy said the temple was about 300 years old and devotees from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka visit the temple regularly.

Kadiri rural Circle Inspector Laxminarayana visited the temple along with a clues team and MRO Narayanaswamy.