‘Feels like I’ve won gold again’: MM Somaya finds his stolen Olympic medal

A fie picture of MM Somaya with his 1980 Moscow Olympics gold

Former India hockey captain MM Somaya, 67, heaved a huge sigh of relief on Wednesday after learning that his 1980 Olympic gold medal, stolen from his Bengaluru home last month along with seven other medals, had been recovered by the police.

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh called Somaya to his office to show him the recovered medals and informed him that two of the three burglars had been arrested.

"I'm told they are history-sheeters, with one of them even being involved in a murder case. Two of the medals were sold off by the burglars, while the others were recovered from one of their homes.

Considering the medals had been sold to a third party, I believe I'm extremely fortunate that the authorities managed to recover them. Full credit to the police," Somaya told mid-day. The medals, however, are yet been handed back to their rightful owner.

"The matter has been referred to the court and the medals need to be exhibited there first. Only after certain legal procedures are completed will they be handed over to me. I can't wait to have my medals back. It feels like I've won back my Olympic gold medal all over again," added Somaya.

It is learnt that the Bengaluru police recovered eight medals, a camera, a Kodagu dagger and an Olympic kit bag from the burglars who broke into Somaya's Bengaluru home on October 28 while he was away in Coorg.

Oct 28
The day the burglars broke into MM Somaya's home and stole the medals