Bengaluru police recover M.M. Somaya’s 1980 Olympic gold medal and seven other medals
Two men were arrested after the hockey legend’s medals were stolen from his Bengaluru home.
Bengaluru police have recovered eight international medals stolen from former India hockey captain M.M. Somaya’s home in B.M. Kaval, including his 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal. Two suspects were arrested on November 9 near Hagalahalli Cross in Ramanagara.
Key takeaways
- Two suspects, Manikya alias Manikanta (31) and Bharat (25), were arrested by Indiranagar police.
- Police recovered eight international medals, including Somaya’s 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal.
- The theft was reported on October 28 after Somaya returned from Kodagu.
- The accused were produced before a court on November 10 and taken into eight days of police custody.
Bengaluru police have arrested two men and recovered eight international medals stolen from the home of former India hockey player M.M. Somaya. The stolen haul included his gold medal from the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The theft took place at Somaya’s residence in B.M. Kaval, Bengaluru, while he and his family were away in their native Kodagu district.
What we know
The Hindu reported that the Indiranagar police arrested two habitual offenders and recovered eight international sports medals.
The recovered medals include the Olympic gold medal won at the 1980 Moscow Games, a silver medal from the 1982 Asian Games, a bronze medal from the 1986 Seoul Asian Games, a bronze medal from the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam and a gold medal from the Loiano tournament in Italy.
The collection also included participation medals from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1988 Seoul Olympics, besides a silver medal associated with the 300th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh.
Police also recovered a traditional dagger of the Kodava community, a camera and an Olympic kit bag, along with the two-wheeler allegedly used to commit the offence.
Medals recovered from Somaya’s home
Medal | Event | Year | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
Gold | Olympic Games | 1980 | Moscow |
Silver | Asian Games | 1982 | Delhi |
Bronze | Asian Games | 1986 | Seoul |
Bronze | Champions Trophy | 1982 | Amsterdam |
Gold | Loiano tournament | Not given | Italy |
Participation | Olympic Games | 1984 | Los Angeles |
Participation | Olympic Games | 1988 | Seoul |
According to the complaint filed on October 28, the family had left Bengaluru on October 25. When they returned, they found that the front door lock had been broken and unidentified persons had entered the house and stolen the medals, gold and silver articles and cash.
The Indiranagar police registered a case and formed eight special teams to investigate the burglary. Acting on intelligence inputs, the police arrested two accused near Hagalahalli Cross in Ramanagara on November 9, along with the two-wheeler allegedly used in the crime.
Why it matters
M.M. Somaya was part of India’s gold medal hockey winning team at the Moscow Olympics in 1980. He is a three-time Olympian, having led India in the 1988 edition at Seoul. He also won an Asian Games silver at Delhi in 1982, followed by a bronze medal in 1986 at Seoul. Rediff reported that Somaya expressed gratitude towards Bengaluru Police after recovery of his stolen Olympic gold medal.
I feel I have won the Olympic medal once again.
What happens next
The arrested accused have been identified as Manikya alias Manikanta (31), a labourer, and Bharat (25). Police said Manikanta has 33 criminal cases registered against him, including 25 in Karnataka and eight in Tamil Nadu.
He also has three proclamation proceedings and six non-bailable warrants pending against him. Bharat is involved in two criminal cases. The accused were produced before a court on November 10 and taken into eight days of police custody.
Deccan Herald reported that police is on the lookout for the third suspect.
By the numbers
Manikanta: 31 years old, 33 criminal cases, 25 in Karnataka, 8 in Tamil Nadu, 3 proclamation proceedings, 6 non-bailable warrants. Bharat: 25 years old, 2 criminal cases. Recovered medals: 8 international medals.
Somaya’s reaction
News18 reported that Somaya told CNN-News18 the medals were far more than just sporting honours, carrying with them decades of memories, emotions and the pride of having represented the country. He said, “About 10 to 11 days ago, I lost my medals.
We informed the Indiranagar Police Station, and I am extremely grateful to the police officials. ” He added, “I am extremely grateful to the Bengaluru Police. I feel as though I have won an Olympic medal all over again. ”
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