NEW DELHI: Former India hockey captain MM Somaya has got back his prized 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal after Bengaluru Police cracked the theft case and recovered the stolen medals and other valuables from his residence. Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident, bringing relief to the three-time Olympian, who described the recovery as an emotional moment.Expressing gratitude to the police for their efforts, Somaya said their reassurance throughout the investigation had helped him remain hopeful that the medals would be recovered.“I am extremely grateful to the Bangalore Police, headed by Mr Seemant (Kumar Singh), who have worked really hard over the last few days. They have not been able to recover only the medal, but also some valuables stolen from my residence,” Somaya told reporters.He also acknowledged the efforts of DCP East Dr Vikram, the ACP of Halsur, police inspector Anand and the Indiranagar police team, who had assured him from the beginning that the medals would be traced.“They are an honor not only for me personally but it is an honor for the state and the country. So he was very reassuring and he and his team at the Indiranagar Police station have done a magnificent job. And I’m really grateful to them. I feel I have won the Olympic medal once again. I am really happy with how police handled this case and cracked within a short period,” he added.
Two arrested, all stolen medals and valuables recovered
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said the police had recovered all the stolen medals and valuables and handed them back to Somaya after completing the legal formalities.“This case of the theft which was reported in Indira Nagar police station by Mr Somaiya about the theft of gold medal and silver medals which he had won so in such a great manner for the pride of the country. So today we are happy that my entire team could detect that case, two people have been arrested and all the valuables as well as all the medals which were stolen have been recovered and we deem it our privilege to have handed over all the medals to Mr Somaiya as per legal formalities after being completed,” he told ANI.Singh described the investigation as one of the most challenging cases for the police because there were no initial clues. He said the two arrested accused had been involved in similar crimes earlier and that the police would ensure they did not repeat such offences.“This is reassuring for us, motivating for us, especially for our lower forces who keep working day and night and this was one of the most challenging cases for us because we didn’t have any clue for it. So finally we could detect this case and recover the items and those two people who are there, they are the accused who have been caught are people who have been involved in such crimes earlier also. We will see to it that in future they do not do such an act,” he added.
Somaya recalls shock of theft, emotional value of Olympic gold
The theft took place on October 28, when Somaya and his family were away on a short holiday in Coorg, his native place. After being alerted by a neighbour, they rushed back to Bengaluru and registered a complaint, with an FIR filed on the same day.“Actually we had gone to Coorg (at the time of theft), my native place, for a short holiday and this happened by the thieves breaking into the house which was really a shock for us. Fortunately we were alerted quickly by one of our neighbours and we rushed back from Coorg and were able to register our complaint and also the FIR was filed on the same day,” Somaya said.The 1980 Olympic gold holds special significance for Somaya, who also represented India at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics, captaining the side at the latter. He won silver at the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi and bronze at the 1986 edition in Seoul.Recalling the amateur era of Indian hockey, Somaya explained why the medals meant far more to him than their material value.“It (the medals) are many years of work and in those days there was no monetary awards, it was an amateur sport so the medals are a little bit of an honour actually and not only for me but for the state and the country. So I carry a lot of memories and sentiments so it is very special to me, especially the Olympic gold medal and I am really happy that they are back with me now,” he said.
