The Jamnagar Local Crime Branch (LCB) arrested four members of a gang involved in temple thefts across multiple districts of Saurashtra, recovering valuables worth Rs 3.66 lakh, including silver ornaments and crowns.
The accused confessed to stealing from temples in Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Devbhumi Dwarka districts this year. Jamnagar DSP Ravi Mohan Saini stated that the arrests followed intelligence about the gang attempting to dispose of stolen goods near Gangavav Ashram in Lalpur taluka.
Sub-inspector C M Kanteliya and his team apprehended Natha Khara, Ravi Khara, Khoda alias Bharat Khara, and Khima Rathod. Another gang member, Natha Sagathiya, remains absconding. All arrested individuals are residents of villages near Jamnagar.
During interrogation, the accused admitted to breaking into several temples, including:
Khodiyar Mataji and Koteshwar Mahadev in Lalpur
Ramapir Temple in Jamnagar
Khodiyar Mataji and Hinglaj Mataji temples in Bhayavadar, Rajkot
Ashapura Mataji Temple in Ghumli, Devbhumi Dwarka
Police recovered silver crowns, umbrellas, a Swift car, a Hero Splendor motorcycle, and mobile phones from the gang. According to Kanteliya, the gang targeted temples on village outskirts or secluded areas, breaking locks and doors with cutters and steel rods to steal gold, silver ornaments, and metal canopies from sanctums.
The arrested accused have been booked under relevant sections of law, while investigations continue to trace the absconding suspect.
