Mangalore, July 12, 2013: The President’s Secretariat has sought from Jain Math in Moodbidri information about the theft of 15 ancient idols from Siddhanta Block in the premises of Guru Basadi on Saturday. Charukeerti Bhattaraka Acharyavarya Swami said a delegation led by Sudhir Jain will meet President Pranab Mukherjee to appraise him about the theft.

Swami told The Hindu on Thursday that they will continue to insist on tracking the accused and recovering the stolen idols.

Meanwhile, Swami said steps were being taken to make alterations in the structure of the Siddhanta Block and make it more secure for keeping ancient idols. An estimate of Rs. 60 lakh has been prepared for the security proposal. Swamiji said that until these measures are put in place, the Math will stop Ratna Bimba darshan – wherein devotees can see ancient idols in the block. The Math will continue with Siddhanta darshan in the block.

On Thursday MP Nalin Kumar Kateel visited Guru Basadi and met the Swamiji.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 12, 2013.