In a major breakthrough, police in Bahraich district arrested four alleged thieves and recovered centuries-old stolen idols from a village temple. The stolen artifacts, believed to be made of ashtadhatu (an alloy of eight metals), were recovered before they could be sold illegally.
The theft took place on the night of July 28 from a temple in Kela village, under the Baundi police station limits. Following the incident, Superintendent of Police Ram Nayan Singh launched a high-priority investigation and formed multiple teams.
According to Additional SP Durga Prasad Tiwari, acting on a tip-off, a team intercepted three motorcycles carrying the four suspects in Gambhirwa area under Ramgaon police station. On searching them, the team recovered the ancient idols.
The accused have been identified as:
Kuldeep Shukla (mastermind)
Sahibe Alam alias Badshah
Bechan
Farmaan
All four are residents of the Ramgaon police station area. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to the theft, stating they believed the idols were made of precious metals and intended to sell them to a goldsmith for profit.
Kuldeep Shukla, the alleged mastermind, is a known criminal with a prior abduction case and has also faced action under the Gangsters Act.
Police are continuing investigations to trace other individuals involved in the planned sale and any other potential buyers of the stolen idols.
In recognition of the swift operation, SP Ram Nayan Singh announced a Rs10,000 reward for the police team involved in the recovery.
