The police have cracked the case of a 300 million INR idol theft from the historic Ram Janki Temple in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. The temple’s own priest, alongside his accomplices, orchestrated the audacious theft. A political twist is involved with a leader from the Samajwadi Party among those implicated. Four suspects, including the priest and the political leader, have been apprehended and sent to jail.
The theft occurred on January 14, from the Ram Janki Temple located in the Pandari area of Kathini. The temple priest, Vanshidas, initially reported the theft to the Pandari police station. Following an investigation that meticulously pieced together the evidence, the police interrogated the temple priest.
Following the arrest, a jaw-dropping revelation came to light. The very person who carried out the theft was none other than Vanshidas Guru, the temple priest himself. Driven by ambition to establish a separate monastery, he teamed up with accomplices to steal the idol. During police questioning, the priest confessed that a dispute over temple ownership was ongoing between Maharaj Jayaram Das and Satua Baba.
Source: aajtak
Jayaram Das had promised property transfer post dispute, but he intended to pass the leadership seat to his nephew instead of the priest. Consequently, Vanshidas Baba conspired with Ram Bahadur Pal, the national secretary of the Mulayam Singh Youth Brigade of Samajwadi Party in Prayagraj, and his driver Lavkush Pal, and Mukesh Kumar Soni, to steal the idol. On confirming the idol was of eight metals, the conspirators smuggled it out to Hemai Temple. However, the police apprehended them when attempting to retrieve it.
Police Spokesperson’s Statement
Additional Superintendent of Police O.P. Singh stated that the Ram Janki Temple in Kathini village under Pandari jurisdiction witnessed a theft involving idol made of precious eight metals valued at approximately 300 million INR. All arrested suspects have been jailed. Initially, the accused verified the authenticity and immense value of the idols through a jeweler. Once confirmed, they orchestrated the theft.
