M. M. Somaya’s 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal, other sporting honours recovered by Bengaluru City Police

FILE PHOTO: M.M. Somaya with the gold medal he won in hockey at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. | Photo Credit: THE HINDU ARCHIVES

Bengaluru City Police has recovered the 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal belonging to former Indian hockey international M. M. Somaya, alongside other valuables that were stolen from his residence in New Thippasandra on October 28.

The recovery comes after burglars broke into the 67-year-old’s house while he and his family were away in the Kodagu district.

A silver from the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, a bronze from the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul and another bronze from the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam were the other medals which were reported stolen.

The burglars had also taken silver cups, gold jewellery, including bangles, silver spoons, gold coins, and ₹30,000 in cash. The total value of the stolen property has been estimated at ₹3.53 lakh.

The Indiranagar Police has registered a case under Sections 331(4) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Somaya had also written to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, seeking his intervention for a thorough and time-bound investigation.