The Haveri police on Thursday returned stolen property worth about ₹2.30 crore to its rightful owners after solving 46 criminal cases, including various house break-ins and temple thefts in the district.

Addressing press persons in Haveri on Thursday, Superintendent of Police of Haveri district Yashodha Vantagodi said that the police had recovered gold ornaments worth ₹1.18 crore, cash amounting to ₹63.20 lakh, silver ornaments valued at ₹34.57 lakh, vehicles worth ₹8.68 lakh, mobile phones and other valuables between January and July.

She said that among the significant breakthroughs were the Makaravalli and Byadagi robbery cases, in which the accused was traced and arrested in Surat, Gujarat. In another burglary involving the theft of gold ornaments, the accused was traced to Madhya Pradesh.

“The Police Department is committed to ensuring justice for victims by tracing offenders and recovering stolen property,” Ms. Vantagodi said.

Responding to a question on the alleged cheating of maize trader Shivalingayya Gadigudal involving crores of rupees, Ms. Vantagodi said that the investigation into the case registered during 2021-22 had been completed and charge-sheet had been filed.

She further said that following the complainant’s request, the district police had submitted a proposal along with relevant records and was prepared to transfer the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Additional Superintendent of Police Lakshman Shirakol and Deputy Superintendents of Police Girimall Talakatti, J. Lokesh and Gurushantappa K.V. were present.

Murder case solved

Ms. Vantagodi said that they have arrested a man in connection with the eight-month-old case of murder of a daily wage labourer in Koosagatti village in the Halageri Police Station limits in Ranebennur taluk.

Bodappa Ramappa Channagiri, 55, a resident of Masur village in Rattihalli taluk, was allegedly assaulted with stones and firewood and murdered at the Koosagatti bus stand on November 20, 2025. A special investigation team was constituted under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police Lakshman Shirakol and Deputy Superintendent of Police J. Lokesh.

The team, led by circle inspectorc Siddesh S.D. and Venkatesh and the Halageri Police Station sub-inspector Krishnakumar B. Mane, investigated the case using technical evidence and forensic inputs.

The investigation led to the arrest of Bharamappa Laxmappa Jogappanavar, 52, a resident of Adavi Anjaneya Layout in Ranebennur.

The police said forensic evidence corroborated his involvement in the crime. During questioning after his detention on July 28, the accused confessed to the offence, the Superintendent of Police said.

The accused had lent ₹20,000 to the deceased, who had repaid ₹10,000. A dispute over the remaining amount allegedly led to an altercation, culminating in the murder, she said.

The recovered property was displayed during the Property Return Parade before being handed over to the claimants for which requisite permissions from the court have been obtained.

First in South India

Meanwhile, Haveri district has topped South India for recovering maximum number of stolen mobiles phones. The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) of Government of India has released the ranking of districts in South India based on the number of mobile phones recovered through CEIR portal, and Haveri district has secured the first place.

Yashodha Vantagodi said that the DOT issued a letter of appreciation to the district during the Annual Security Conference for South Zone LSAs and LEAs held at Ernakulum in Kerala.

Published - July 30, 2026 11:44 pm IST