Thanjavur: Burglars, who entered a locked house in Kumbakonam in the early hours today, decamped with 156 sovereigns, or nearly 1.25 kilos, of gold. The inmates of the house were away to perform the death rites of a family member.

47-year-old Mohamed Iqbal, residing at Radhakrishnan Nagar in Kumbakonam, is employed in Dubai. He had returned home yesterday because the health condition of his father-in-law, Abdul Hakkim (77), was fast deteriorating. Hakkim was taken to the hospital in an ambulance but he died on the way. Subsequently, Hakkim’s body was taken to his native, Athikkadai village in Tiruvarur district.

Mohamed Iqbal, along with his family, accompanied the body to Athikkadai to perform the last rites. Taking advantage of this, the burglars gained entry into the house after breaking open the door lock. The culprits looted the 156 sovereigns of gold ornaments kept in the cupboard, and fled.

The burglary came to light when a close relative of Iqbal noticed that the front door of the house was open. He informed the matter to Iqbal, who immediately returned home, and found the gold ornaments were missing. Based on his complaint, the Kumbakonam Taluk police have registered a case and further investigations are on.