‘A drug addict stole them to fund his addiction’: How West Bengal Police recovered 295 medals of Bula Choudhury; Padma Shri brooch still missing

HINDMOTOR: Forty-eight hours after former swimming legend Bula Choudhury reported a theft at her Hindmotor house, in which all the medals she won at competitions were stolen, Chandannagar Commissionerate and CID on Sunday announced the recovery of 295 medals, along with two idols of Shiva and Buddha.

Medals stolen in 2014 were also recovered.The only article that has not been found is a Padma Shri brooch. She, however, told police she would check if the article is at her Kolkata home.

"I am so delighted. Those medals are invaluable and represent the sweat, toil, and success in a competitive sport in which I gave the best years of my life," she told TOI. An emotional Choowdhury could not hold back her tears when police showed her the recovered medals. DC Arnab Biswas said the thief, Krishna Chowdhury from Rishra, broke into the house at Debaipukur in Hindmotor between Aug 12 and 14 and stole the medals as well as taps from washrooms in the house.A special team under the direction of police commissioner Amit P Javalgi, with assistance from CID, carried out the investigation and apprehended Krishna. Following interrogation, 295 medals were recovered. Sources said Krishna was a drug addict and stole the medals and taps as they were made of metal and could fetch money to fund his addiction.

"He broke into the house on Aug 12 and stole a few things. We suspect he kept watch on the house to see if the theft was detected. When it was not, he entered again on Aug 14 and emptied out the rest," said Biswas.Choudhury, who had became distraught after the theft, profusely thanked the police for acting promptly. The ace swimmer, who has been considering turning the Hindmotor house into a museum, is reconsidering the plan following the incident.

The house was burgled twice earlier as well. In 2014, there were two thefts in a span of seven months.This time, the theft was detected on Friday when her brother went to the Hindmotor house to get it cleaned as she was supposed to visit it on Sunday. Choudhury last visited the house a month ago. Since then, it was under lock and key.The thief had entered through the rear door. The cabinet containing all medals she won between 1979 and 1995 was cleaned out. These included 10 golds she won at two editions of the SAF Games in Kathmandu and Colombo.