A group of robbers who stole Kadaisi Vivasayi filmmaker Manikandan's National Award medal from his Usilampatti residence in Madurai returned the medal a few days ago with an apology note.
According to a report by India Today, the thieves had stolen gold jewellery, cash, and other precious items from Manikandan's house. However, when they realised that among the items was also a national award medal, they decided to return it in a polythene bag.
In continuation of the report, Manikandan is currently living in Chennai with his family. The filmmaker's pet dog stays at his Usilampatti residence and is fed by his two friends every day.
Manikandan's friends were the first ones to find out about the robbery. When they went to feed the dog, they found out that the front doors of the house had already been opened. When they entered the house, they were shocked to see valuables missing.
The filmmaker had filed a case with the Usilampatti Police after 15 pieces of gold jewellery, Rs 1 lakh in cash, and other items went missing from his house after the robbery.
Days after the complaint, Manikandan's family members found a plastic bag hanging by their compound wall that carried the director's National Award medal along with an apology note.
“Sir, please forgive us; (we are) returning your hard work’s pay," the note read.
While the medal has been returned, the gold jewellery and other valuables still remain missing. A police investigation is currently underway to find the culprits.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)