Mangaluru: In a shocking incident reported here at Maryhill in the city, a fully grown sandalwood tree was stolen from the bungalow of Western Range IGP Hemanth Nimbalkar on 17th August, Thursday.
According to the sources, the tree was stolen at least four days ago despite the round the clock security provided to the residence of a police officer, who heads four districts.
The entire tree including its base and roots was found to have been extirpated and carried away by thieves. It is clear that the thieves executed a well-planned theft backed by meticulous planning, going by the timing of the theft.
It is suspected that the theft occurred during the intervening period when Harishekharan vacated the premises and Nimbalkar occupied it.
It is said that a sandalwood tree had been stolen in this fashion during the term of IGP Satyanarayana Rao, but the incident had not become public knowledge.