The Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishthana in Kuppalli near here has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs requesting a replica of the Padma Vibhushan medal that was conferred on poet laureate Kuvempu. The medal was burgled from the Kavimane museum on November 24, 2015.
Based on CCTV footage in the museum, the police had arrested three persons. However, the accused told the police that the hook in the metal clasp, to which the medal was attached, had broken when they were carrying it and the medal was lost. Efforts to find the medal thereafter had failed. Kadidal Prakash, secretary of the pratishthana, told The Hindu that the letter was written in the first week of May. A photocopy of the police complaint, the FIR, and the sanad (certificate) issued with the medal were sent too, he said.
Mr. Prakash said that though there was no official communication from the Ministry on the fee charged, Rs. 1 lakh would have to be paid to get the replica. The pratishthana has resolved to pay the amount, he said.
Seeks replica of the Padma Vibhushan medal that was stolen from Kavimane museum in 2015
