Veteran Indian hockey player M M Somaya's prized 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal was among several valuables stolen after unidentified burglars broke into his Bengaluru residence while he was away with his family, police said.The burglary took place in the early hours of October 28 at Somaya's house in HAL 3rd Stage, New Thippasandra, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Indiranagar police station. The 67-year-old former hockey player was travelling to Kodagu with his family when the incident occurred.According to the FIR, the burglary came to light after one of Somaya's neighbours noticed that the front door of his house was open.
Suspecting a break-in, the neighbour alerted Somaya.TWO MEN CAUGHT ON CCTVWhen CCTV footage from the neighbour's house was examined, two unidentified men were seen entering Somaya's residence at around 2.34 am on October 28. The FIR stated that one of the suspects was wearing a blue shirt, while the other was dressed in a red shirt.
The two allegedly broke open the door, entered the house and stole valuables kept inside.OLYMPIC GOLD, OTHER INTERNATIONAL MEDALS STOLENAmong the stolen valuables was Somaya's gold medal from the 1980 Moscow Olympics, which he won as a member of the Indian hockey team. The burglars also took several other sporting medals, including a silver medal from the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, a bronze medal from the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and a bronze medal from the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam.Apart from the sporting memorabilia, various silver articles, gold ornaments and Rs 30,000 in cash were also stolen.The total value of the stolen articles has been estimated at Rs 3.53 lakh, according to the FIR.POLICE FORM SPECIAL TEAMSBased on Somaya's complaint, the Indiranagar police registered a case.
Police said special teams have been formed to identify and apprehend the suspects. Investigators are examining CCTV footage to trace the two men involved in the burglary.- Ends(With PTI inputs)