Thieves targeted the Deoria Shiv Temple under the Sadar police station area in Chatra town, making off with idols and jewellery valued at approximately Rs 5 lakh. The crime came to light on Friday morning when local residents arrived for worship and found the main gate lock broken. Upon entering, they noticed several valuable items missing, including the nose ring of Goddess Durga, a gold idol of Lord Vishnu, and a silver idol of Lord Ganesh.
Residents Express Anger
The discovery prompted residents to inform the temple committee, leading to a gathering of a large number of people who expressed anger over the incident. A complaint was lodged at the Sadar police station by Pankaj Pandey, stating that the thieves broke the temple lock and took away idols and ornaments worth approximately Rs 5 lakh. The complaint named Ajit Pandey and Lokesh Pandey, residents of Chhotki Deoria, and Satish Saw alias Golu of Kishanpur locality as suspects.
Priest's Account
Priest Rajesh Pandey reported that when he reached the temple in the morning, he found the protective grill of the idols cut. He immediately informed the locals and the police about the incident.
Police Investigation
Sadar police personnel inspected the temple premises, questioned nearby residents, and gathered clues. In a swift response, some locals caught several people near Murtiyatand on Jitni More Road on suspicion and handed them over to the police. The detained individuals are currently being questioned.
Sadar police station officer-in-charge Awadhesh Singh stated that several people have been detained and interrogated, expressing confidence that the case will be solved soon.
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About the Author: Vishvendu Jaipuriar covers Hazaribag and Chatra districts, focusing on crime, politics, and human interest stories. He has covered programs of prominent national and regional leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during their visits to Hazaribag/Chatra, and extensively reported on the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case with a focus on Hazaribag as a key epicenter.
