The Gujarat Police have made a significant breakthrough by arresting two members of the notorious Garasiya gang, responsible for a series of eight temple thefts at remote temples near highways. The arrests followed an investigation initiated by the Karjan police, where thieves had stolen gold strips, the eyes of idols, and cash from a donation box at a Jain Derasar near Dethan village in Vadodara’s Karjan area.
The police’s investigation led them to the Garasiya gang, based in Sirohi’s Pindwara taluka, Rajasthan. Upon tracking down specific leads, a police team traveled to Sirohi and apprehended Lalaram Sohan and Sunilal alias Sinaram Sisodiya.
Interrogation revealed that Sohan, who worked as a laborer and polished stones at temples, had gained knowledge of isolated temples in Gujarat while accompanying his peers on temple-related work. Using this knowledge, he began targeting these temples, mapping their locations with the help of Google Maps. Equipped with tools like iron rods and screwdrivers, Sohan and his accomplices would break into the temples, stealing precious items and cash from donation boxes, before fleeing the scene.
Authorities have seized two mobile phones and a Maruti Suzuki Eeco car from the suspects. Nine other gang members are still at large, with several cases registered against Sohan in Pindwara and Bhavnagar in Gujarat. Sisodiya is also involved in five similar cases in Rajasthan.
The investigation continues as the police work to dismantle the gang’s operations and recover stolen valuables.
