PALAKKAD: More than 100 sovereigns of gold recovered by the police from Kuruva gangs who come half-naked, covering their faces and applying oil all over their bodies for robbery have been lying in the courts in Palakkad for the past 30 years. Kuruva gangs roamed here from 1988 to 1995.

The then SI Juby Mathew and his team nabbed six persons at Moongilmada under Kozhinjampara police station limits. Based on the statements of Paruthiveeran, Madhuraveeran, Malayalthan, Ganesan, Selvapandi and Subramanian, 43 cases were registered and 130 sovereigns of gold were seized.

Accused released on bail, went absconding

If the owners approach the court, the gold is returned to them based on the affidavit with conditions. While some got the gold back, most did not.

It is not clear whether the reason was them not approaching the court or whether the government lawyers opposed it. Many police officers who were in service back then have retired. Information on the case proceedings is not available from the stations.

First arrived in Palakkad

The Kuruva gangs, which have bases on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and at Kambam, Bodinayakanur, Coimbatore, Madurai and Thanjavur, first arrived in Kerala at Palakkad. Gradually, they moved to Kozhikode. Later, they reached other districts as well.

"What attracts us here is that the women of Kerala wear gold jewellery, irrespective of their status."

- What the accused told the police