₹4-lakh telescope stolen from Calicut University; authorities unaware until police nab thief

Malappuram: A high-value telescope worth ₹4 lakh was stolen from Calicut University, a crime that went entirely unnoticed by university authorities until law enforcement intervened. The incident came to light after Karippur Police recovered the stolen instrument while arresting a suspect in a separate mobile phone theft case.

The telescope was stolen from the Madhava Observatory on campus, which functions under the Department of Physics. Following the revelation, Registrar Dr C D Sebastian lodged a formal complaint with the Thenhipalam Police, who have since initiated a detailed investigation.

Karippur Police recently apprehended Dilshad, a resident of Koottumuchi in Vallikkunnu, in connection with stolen mobile phones. During the arrest, officers recovered the telescope from his possession. Suspecting it belonged to Calicut University, police contacted campus officials, who only then realised the high-value equipment was missing. The exact timeline and method of the break-in remain unclear.

Preliminary findings suggest the theft could not have occurred without internal assistance, hinting that individuals aware of the instrument's precise value may be involved. The suspect, Dilshad, is currently in judicial custody and will undergo detailed interrogation.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi, Dr Drishya, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, confirmed the telescope was purchased in 2024 for over ₹3.5 lakh. To prevent fungal infection and damage to the lens, components were routinely dismantled, stored separately and reassembled only when required. She added that the equipment had been securely locked away and expressed shock over how the breach occurred.

In the wake of the incident, university authorities ordered an immediate asset audit across all academic departments. The campus laboratories house advanced equipment valued up to ₹30 lakh each, with total departmental assets running into tens of crores. However, concerns remain over inadequate security protocols to safeguard these high-value items.