In a significant bust, the Kaushambi Police have arrested Arvind Kumar Bind (25) of Jigna, a notorious bell thief linked to over 40 thefts across Kaushambi, Prayagraj, and Mirzapur districts. The arrest followed a late-night encounter near Durgapur village, during which Arvind was injured and later admitted to the district hospital.
Authorities also detained his accomplice, Ayodhya Prasad from Bagera Kala in Mirzapur. The duo allegedly targeted rural temples—mostly lacking CCTV surveillance—to steal brass bells, idols, and crowns. They reportedly conducted daytime reconnaissance posing as devotees and executed thefts at night. To evade detection, they carried fake Aadhaar cards and other forged IDs.
During the raid, police recovered 12 stolen bells, two country-made .315 bore pistols with live and spent cartridges, cutters, a motorbike, and fake identity documents. These possessions were linked directly to recent burglaries at ancient temples in Nanmai and Saidpur Durgapur.
Deputy SP Abhishek Singh explained that the gang targeted temples where devotees donate bells for wishes, knowing these brass donations fetch a high resale value. The operation unfolded after two FIRs were registered on July 17 and July 25 with Kokhraj and Pipri Police Stations, reporting thefts from these temples.
On Thursday night, Pipri police acted on a tip-off and cordoned the area around the Bhairav Baba temple. When the thieves fled, one opened fire on officers, prompting a retaliatory discharge by the police, which injured Arvind. The accomplice escaped but was later arrested during combing operations.
The case remains under investigation, with authorities seeking more accomplices and recovering further stolen artifacts.
