Former Indian hockey captain MM Somaya’s house in Bengaluru was burgled, with thieves making away with four international sporting medals including the Moscow Olympic gold medal, jewellery, and cash.
The burglary took place at Somaya’s house in New Thippasandra, under the Indiranagar police station limits, while he and his family were away in Kodagu.
Cash, gold coin stolen
According to reports, Somaya, 67, left Bengaluru with his family on October 25. On October 28, a neighbour noticed that the house door was open and alerted him. CCTV footage from a neighbouring property reportedly showed two unidentified men breaking into the house around 2.34 am.
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Among the stolen valuables were Somaya’s 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal, an Asian Games silver medal, a bronze medal from the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and a bronze medal from the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam.
The thieves also reportedly took a gold coin, a gold bangle, six silver spoons, silver cups, a silver vessel and Rs 30,000 in cash. The estimated monetary value of the stolen articles has been put at Rs 3.53 lakh. The historical and sentimental value of the sporting medals is separate.
Complaint filed
Somaya has lodged a complaint at the Indiranagar police station. Police have registered a case and are examining CCTV footage to identify the suspects and recover the stolen property.
The theft of the Moscow Olympics gold medal, won by the Indian men’s hockey team at the 1980 Games, is particularly significant given its place in India’s sporting history.
Somayya, who hails from Kodagu, played for India in three Olympics – 1980, 1984 and 1988. He captained the team in 1988 Seoul Olympics in South Korea. He won two Asian Games medals, a silver in 1982 and a bronze in 1986.