Jewellery worth Rs 40 lakh stolen from temple, priest missing

News Network

October 20, 2020

Bhatkal, Oct 20: Jewelry worth about Rs 40 lakh, which was donated to Durgaparameshwari Temple here by devotees was stolen from the temple premises.

Police said on Tuesday that the temple authorities, in a complaint, further added that a priest who was working at the temple was also missing ever since the incident came to light on Monday night.

The temple administration in the complaint has 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 jewellery box on the occasion of Navratri, to put the jewellery on the goddess.

The temple authorities reportedly tried contacting Sathish over the phone as he had the keys to a jewellery locker. Unable to contact him over the phone, the administration decided to break open the locker, as it was the ritual of the temple to put jewellery on the Goddess.

Sathish was working at the temple for the last year but had not reported to the duty for over a month now. The authorities further added that they last spoke to Sathish over the 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.

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No rift, no rebel: Siddaramaiah–DKS stage a dramatic show of unity after high command push

News Network

November 29,2025

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday put up a dramatic display of unity at a closely watched joint press briefing, firmly dismissing weeks of speculation about a power-sharing tussle within the Congress. With the high command nudging both leaders to sit together and settle the dust, the meeting became a political spectacle, ending with the duo declaring that there was “no confusion, no differences.”

Calling the reports of a rift “manufactured confusion,” Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone smoothly, even joking about their breakfast. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to end this confusion once and for all. For local elections and for 2028, our mission is clear — Congress must return to power. There is no difference between me and DKS, not now, not before.”

He blamed the media for fuelling rumours and reiterated absolute adherence to the party leadership. “From tomorrow, let there be no confusion. What the high command says, we will follow.”

Siddaramaiah also assured that the Assembly session starting December 8 would run smoothly and vowed that Congress would take on the BJP and JD(S) “together.”

Shivakumar echoed the chief minister word for word, stressing loyalty and discipline. “People have given us a massive mandate. It is our duty to deliver,” he said. “This government was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. We both have complete trust in the high command. If they tell me to wait, I will wait.”

He added that the two leaders had discussed strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections. “Whatever the CM says, I agree. We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party may be facing challenges nationally, but we will keep it strong in Karnataka.”

Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah would soon visit his home for lunch or dinner — another symbolic gesture meant to underline their unity.

Both leaders later posted on social media describing the breakfast meeting as “productive” and focused on “Karnataka’s priorities.”

The BJP, however, rejected the show of camaraderie as “pure bunkum,” accusing Congress of trying to paper over an internal power struggle. But Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar insisted their united front would continue — and that there was “no confusion” within the state leadership.

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