Kodagu-born hockey legend Somaya’s Bengaluru home burgled; Moscow Olympics gold medal stolen

Bengaluru: Unidentified burglars allegedly broke into the Bengaluru residence of Indian hockey legend and Kodagu native Maneyapanda Muthanna Somaya and decamped with valuables worth approximately Rs 3.5 lakh, including four prestigious sporting medals, one of which was the gold medal he won at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

According to the FIR, the theft took place on October 28 at Somaya’s house in HAL 3rd Stage. The 67-year-old former hockey player and his family were away in Kodagu when the incident occurred.

The burglary came to light at around 7.15 am when a neighbour, Narayanan, noticed that the front door of the house had been left open. He alerted Somaya, following which CCTV footage from the neighbour’s residence was examined.

The footage reportedly showed two unidentified men breaking open the door and entering the house at around 2.34 am on October 28. One of the suspects was wearing a blue shirt, while the other was dressed in a red shirt, the FIR stated.

Among the stolen items were Somaya’s 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal, a silver medal from the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, a bronze medal from the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul and another bronze medal from the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam.

The burglars also allegedly took a 10-gram gold bangle, an eight-gram gold coin, two silver cups weighing 144 grams, six silver spoons, an 80-gram silver pot and Rs 30,000 in cash.

Police have constituted two special teams to identify and apprehend the suspects.

"We have formed two special teams to trace the suspects. An investigation is on," a police officer said.