Mirzapur: In a surprising twist, the man who reported the theft of ancient idols from a temple in Mirzapur district was found to be the mastermind behind the crime. Police have arrested him along with three accomplices, an official revealed on Saturday.
The incident revolves around the theft of ancient idols of Lord Ram, Lakshman, and Sita from the Ram-Janki Temple in the Padri area. The idols were recovered from a Bolero vehicle, and four individuals, including the complainant, were apprehended.
The Case Unfolded
On January 14, a man named Vanshidas filed a First Information Report (FIR) claiming that the precious idols had been stolen from the temple. Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case against unknown individuals and launched an investigation.
During the probe, the accused were identified as Vanshidas (the complainant), Lavkush Pal, Kumar Soni, and Ram Bahadur Pal. Police revealed that Vanshidas had been the caretaker of the temple for the past three years and was embroiled in a long-standing dispute between his spiritual mentors, Maharaj Jayaram Das and Satuwa Baba, over the temple’s ownership.
The Plan Behind the Crime
Authorities stated that when Vanshidas discovered that Maharaj Jayaram Das intended to transfer the temple’s property to his nephew, he devised a plan to steal and sell the idols. With the help of his driver Lavkush Pal and two others, he orchestrated the theft. Under the guise of visiting the temple for prayers, Vanshidas showed the idols to his accomplices. After stealing them, they hid the idols behind a hill near the Highmai Temple.
Gang Caught in the Act
The police apprehended the accused on Saturday while they were retrieving the stolen idols from their hiding spot. The recovered idols are said to hold an estimated value of ₹30 crore in the black market due to their cultural and historical significance.
This incident not only highlights the value of heritage artifacts but also the lengths individuals may go to for personal gain. Investigations into the case are ongoing.
Social Media Reactions
The incident has sparked debates on social media, with users expressing shock and calling for stricter measures to protect historical artifacts.
Further updates on the investigation are awaited.