Former India hockey captain M M Somaya has written to Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar seeking his intervention after burglars allegedly stole his 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal and other valuables from his Bengaluru residence last month.
CCTV footage from a neighbouring house showed two unidentified men forcing their way into the residence. MM Somaya was a key member of India’s hockey team during the 1980s. The burglars also took gold jewellery, silverware and ₹ 30,000 in cash, according to the complaint. The total value of the stolen property has been estimated at ₹ 3.53 lakh. The burglary came to light around 7:15 am on October 28, when a neighbour noticed that the front door was open and alerted Somaya. Indiranagar police have registered a case under Sections 331(4) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , 2023. He made his Olympic debut at the 1980 Moscow Games, where India won its eighth Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey. Playing as a right-half, he went on to represent the country at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics, captaining the team at the latter.
“One of the medals stolen is India’s last Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey and, therefore, has immense significance not only for me personally but also for the nation and the history of Indian sport.
One suspect was wearing a blue shirt and the other a red shirt, according to the police complaint. Describing the Olympic medal ‘s significance, Somaya said its loss was not merely personal but also a blow to the history of Indian sport. For me, it is an irreplaceable symbol of years of dedication, sacrifice and service to the country,” he said. Two special teams have been formed to identify the suspects and recover the stolen property, deputy commissioner of police (east division) Vikram Amte said.
