Bhopal Sees 40 Temple, Mosque Thefts in 6 Months

A series of thefts has been reported at temples and mosques in Bhopal, with 40 incidents occurring in the last six months.

In the past week alone, two temples and two mosques have been targeted by thieves, who have stolen silver crowns, ornaments, and cash worth nearly Rs 3 lakh.

The most recent incident was reported at the Hanumant Seva Ashram in Shivaji Nagar, where a silver crown adorning the idol of Ram Darbar was stolen on July 30. The temple caretaker, Nitesh Kumar Sharma, lodged a complaint with the police.

Earlier, a silver crown worth Rs 75,000 was stolen from a temple in the 10 Number area under Habibganj police station. Separate thefts were also reported at mosques in Ashoka Garden and Arera Hills.

In the Arera Hills case, the accused allegedly broke open a donation box and fled with cash. Although CCTV footage captured a suspect, the police have yet to make a breakthrough in any of these four cases.

On July 29, the Shahpura police arrested 42-year-old Pramod Rajput, a resident of Kasturba Nagar in Govindpura, for a theft at the Siddheshwar Hanuman Temple in Laxman Nagar. Silver utensils and other worship items had been stolen from the temple.

Using CCTV footage, the police tracked down the accused and recovered the stolen property. During interrogation, Rajput allegedly confessed to committing thefts in Habibganj, MP Nagar, and Shyamla Hills areas as well.

Police officials believe that the incidents are not the handiwork of a single organized gang. They suspect that local drug addicts and habitual petty offenders are taking advantage of opportunities to target religious places.

The series of thefts has raised concerns about the security of temples and mosques in the city. The police are investigating the incidents and are working to prevent further thefts.

The thefts have also caused concern among the devotees who visit these temples and mosques. They are demanding that the authorities take strict action against the accused and improve the security measures at these places.

The incident has highlighted the need for increased vigilance and security at religious places in Bhopal. The police are urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

The thefts have caused a significant loss to the temples and mosques, and the authorities are working to recover the stolen items and bring the accused to justice.

In conclusion, the series of thefts at temples and mosques in Bhopal is a cause for concern, and the authorities are working to prevent further incidents and bring the accused to justice.

The incidents have highlighted the need for increased security and vigilance at religious places in the city, and the police are urging the public to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.