LUDHIANA: A masked thief was captured on security footage folding his hands and praying for forgiveness before the deity's idol prior to robbing a local temple early on Saturday. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. at the Shri Ram Darbar Temple in Kitchlu Nagar.
Break-in Details
Temple head Prakash Chand Sharma stated that the intruder spent approximately 40 minutes on the premises after squeezing through a narrow skylight ventilation shaft to bypass the locked main doors. The suspect's entry method highlights a calculated approach to avoid detection.
CCTV Footage Reveals Unusual Behavior
CCTV footage revealed an unexpected moment of reverence: before breaking open the donation box and fleeing with the cash, the suspect bowed deeply and gestured an apology toward the idol of Lord Ram. This act of prayer, captured on camera, has puzzled investigators and temple authorities alike.
The theft went unnoticed until 5 a.m., when temple priest Gopal Krishna discovered the damaged cash box and alerted the management. Remarkably, two individuals present inside the complex at the time of the burglary reportedly slept through the entire incident, unaware of the intrusion.
Police Investigation Underway
Police at the Kitchlu Nagar post have launched an investigation. Officials confirmed they received the temple's formal complaint along with the security footage, which will aid them in identifying and tracing the suspect. Authorities are reviewing the footage for additional clues and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The incident has raised concerns about temple security in the area, with locals calling for better surveillance and stronger locks. Meanwhile, the temple management is assessing the damage and implementing new safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
