1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal stolen from home of hockey star M.M. Somaya in Bengaluru

A photo of former Indian hockey player M.M. Somaya published in The Hindu on May 28, 1988.

Burglars broke into the residence of former Indian hockey star M.M. Somaya at New Thippasandra in Bengaluru and took his prized 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal, other international sporting medals, jewellery, and some cash. The incident, which took place in the early hours of October 28, came to light after the family returned from Kodagu district.

“I had left Bengaluru for my native place in Kodagu with my family on the morning of October 25. Taking advantage of the house being locked and unoccupied, two unidentified burglars have broken open the front door and entered the house around 2.34 a.m. on October 28. Around 7.15 a.m., neighbours noticed that the door of the house was open. They alerted me. Subsequently, CCTV camera footage from a neighbouring house showed two men breaking open the door and entering the premises,” he said.

MM Somaya with Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia during the Sportstar Aces award event. File photo.

Mr. Somaya, a three-time Olympian who represented India in 1980, 1984 and 1988, captained the Indian Olympic hockey team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He was conferred the Arjuna Award in 1985.

“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. For me, it is an irreplaceable symbol of years of dedication, sacrifice and service to the country,” Mr. Somaya said.

Mr. Somaya’s gold medal won as part of the Indian hockey team at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, a silver medal from the 1982 Asian Games held in New Delhi, a bronze medal from the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, and another bronze medal won at the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam, were also stolen.

The burglars also took silver cups, gold jewellery, including bangles, silver spoons, gold coins, and ₹30,000 cash. The total value of the stolen property has been estimated at ₹3.53 lakh.

M.M. Somaya showing the gold medal won in the hockey tournament at the 1980 Moscow Olympic games.

The Indiranagar Police, have registered a case under Sections 331(4) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. They are examining CCTV camera footage to identify the accused and recover the stolen valuables, including the Olympic gold medal and other sporting honours. Two special teams have been formed to track down the accused, Vikram Amte, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Division), Bengaluru City Police said.

Mr. Somaya has also written to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, seeking his intervention for a thorough and time-bound investigation into the theft of his Olympic gold medal.

Emphasising the national significance of the stolen medal, Mr. Somaya urged the Chief Minister to sensitise Bengaluru Police authorities to the exceptional national and sporting significance of the case and ensure that all necessary resources were deployed to trace and recover the medal and other stolen valuables.

“An Olympic gold medal represents far more than an individual sporting achievement; it is an honour earned for the nation on the world’s highest sporting stage,” he said, hoping that the Chief Minister’s intervention would ensure every possible effort was made to recover the medal.