Udupi: Udupi District Crime City Police has detained two persons in connection with the theft of Ancient Idols from a Jain Basadi. They were arrested at Upoor near Brahmaver on NH 66 while on their way to Kerala, allegedly to sell stolen items.

The police identified the arrested as Chandra Naik (26) of Shedigundi in Jadkal-Mudur area of Kundapur Taluk and Uday Acharya (32) of Kodi Road in Hanglur.

8 idols of Mahaveer weighing 14 kg, believed to be 700 years old, Idols of Jain Tirthankars and other religious accessories like Prabhavali, Naga Prabhavali, Brahmayaksha, sandals and a Maruthi Esteem car used for transporting idols were seized by the police.

These idols were reportedly been stolen from Chandranatha Basadi near Byakod in Sigandoor of Shimoga district. Case was registered in Kargal police station of Shimoga district.

The accused estimated the stolen items to be worth Rs 2 crore.

Police said another accomplice, Santosh Mogaveera from Gangolli, has escaped and police have intensified search for him.

Under the guidance of Udupi SP Dr. Borelingaiah, and direction of Additional SP Prabhudev Mane and Jayanth V Shetty, DCIB inspector Praveen H Nayak and associated led the operation.