Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur

Kundapur, Nov 22: The charges against the accused arrested in connection with a house theft that took place six months ago under the Kollur Police Station limits have been proven, and he has been declared guilty by Manjula B, Judge of the 2nd Additional Civil and JMFC Court, Kundapur.

The accused has been identified as Umanath Prabhu (59), a native of Karkala, who is currently in judicial custody. In this theft case, the court has ordered 1 year and 6 months of rigorous imprisonment and has also imposed a fine.

In May 2025, theft of two gold bangles took place at a house in Janata Colony, Iduru–Kunjadi village under Kollur Police Station limits, when no one was at home at night. The incident came to light the following morning and a case was registered. Acting on leads, police arrested the accused on June 17 at Ajekaru.

Assistant public prosecutor Uday Kumar argued for the prosecution. He submitted that the accused was habitually involved in theft cases and urged the court to impose maximum punishment under the BNS Act.

A total of 20 witnesses were examined in connection with the case. PSI Vinay M. Korlahalli conducted the investigation and filed the chargesheet before the court.

This case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, which came into effect last year. Since the accused did not obtain bail, he remained in judicial custody. Hence, the trial progressed swiftly, and evidence was presented before the court in proper time.

The trial commenced on August 1, 2025, and was completed within nearly two and a half months. Notably, this is one of the fastest theft case trials concluded under the BNS Act, resulting in conviction and sentencing. The highlight of the new act is the increased priority given to technical evidence in trials.