Published Nov 04, 2026 | 6:00 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 04, 2026 | 6:00 PM
Somaya was a member of India squad that won the gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. (Courtesy: Hockey India)
Synopsis: Four international medals won by former India hockey captain MM Somaya, including his gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, were stolen when burglars broke into his Bengaluru house on October 28 while he and his family were away in Kodagu. CCTV footage from a neighbour’s house reportedly showed two unidentified men breaking open the front door and entering the house at 2.34 am. The burglars also stole gold and silver valuables and ₹30,000 in cash.
Four international medals, including the gold medal won by former India field hockey captain MM Somaya at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, were stolen when burglars broke into his house in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 28 October.
The burglary took place at Somaya’s house in HAL 3rd Stage, New Thippasandra, under the Indiranagar police station limits, while the 67-year-old and his family were away in Kodagu.
The stolen medals include the gold medal from the 1980 Moscow Olympics, a silver medal from the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, a bronze medal from the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul and another bronze medal from the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam.
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Besides the medals, the burglars stole valuables worth ₹3.5 lakh. These include a 10-gram gold bangle, an eight-gram gold coin, two silver cups weighing 144 grams, six silver spoons, an 80-gram silver pot and ₹30,000 in cash.
CCTV footage from a neighbour’s house reportedly showed two unidentified men breaking open the door and entering the residence at 2.34 am.
The burglary came to light hours later at around 7.15 am when the neighbour, Narayanan, noticed that the front door of the house was open and alerted Somaya.
The Indiranagar police have registered a case under Sections 331(4) (house trespass or house-breaking) and 305 (theft in a dwelling house, means of transportation or place of worship) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Varsha Gowda)
