Stolen gold comes back; 15 sovereigns mysteriously left on house gate

KANNUR: What kind of thief steals gold and then leaves most of it hanging on the victim’s gate? That is the strange turn of events at Thayyil Kurumbakkavu in Kannur. When 61-year-old T. Prasanna and her son returned home after visiting a neighbouring family house last Wednesday, they found a bag hanging on their gate. Inside were 15 sovereigns of gold ornaments — part of the 21 sovereigns that had been stolen from their house. Though six sovereigns are still missing, Prasanna is relieved to have recovered at least some of the jewellery. She handed the recovered gold over to the police.

Prasanna had discovered the theft only the previous day when she opened the locker in an iron cupboard in her bedroom to take out a bangle. The gold stored inside had disappeared, but there were no signs of forced entry. The doors, windows and even the locker had not been broken or damaged, leaving police puzzled about how the theft took place and when exactly it happened. The house had undergone painting work about a week earlier, and during that period Prasanna and her son had also travelled to Mahe to buy some items. However, it is not clear whether the theft occurred during that time.

Police have launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage in an attempt to identify the thief. Following Prasanna’s complaint, the painting workers were questioned, while people who have close links with the family are also being questioned. Despite the investigation, the person who stole the jewellery — and later returned 15 sovereigns by leaving them on the gate — has not yet been identified.

The stolen jewellery was worth around Rs 25 lakh and included a five-sovereign necklace, a four-sovereign bangle, a 2.5-sovereign bangle, a two-sovereign chain, necklaces weighing 3.5, 1.5 and 1.75 sovereigns, and a ring.