Notorious Temple Thief Apprehended in Ballia Following Police Encounter
In a dramatic late-night operation, the Nagra police in Ballia district successfully captured a notorious thief who had been terrorizing temples and residences across the region for the past two months. The arrest occurred near Kharuav pond following an intense exchange of gunfire.
Police Patrol Leads to Dramatic Confrontation
According to Ballia's ASP (North) Dinesh Kumar Shukla, the incident unfolded around midnight during routine night patrolling. Officers noticed a suspicious individual near Kharuanv pond and immediately signaled him to stop. Instead of complying, the suspect attempted to flee, prompting a high-speed chase by the police team.
"When he realized he was surrounded by police personnel, the accused opened fire on our party," stated ASP Shukla. "In the ensuing retaliatory action, he sustained a bullet injury to his leg."
Recovery of Stolen Items and Firearm
Following the confrontation, police conducted a thorough search and recovered significant evidence from the accused:
- A loaded firearm with multiple cartridges
- 63.43 grams of stolen silver items
The injured suspect, identified as Rudal Natt, was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. His condition is reported to be stable under police supervision.
Confession Reveals String of Temple Burglaries
During subsequent interrogation, Natt provided shocking details about his criminal activities over the previous months:
- November 14: Stole the crown and gold nose ring from an idol at the old Durga temple, along with cash from the donation box
- December 17: Broke into the composite school of Sawan village, stealing an inverter battery, gas cylinder, and various other articles
- January 4: Targeted Sukhpura Budhwa temple, making off with a silver Shivling and a sacred 'naag' (holy snake) statue
- January 11: Stole a water pump from Bangla Chatti in Gadwar
"The accused specifically targeted religious institutions and educational facilities, showing a pattern of disrespect for community spaces," noted a police official involved in the investigation.
End to Two-Month Crime Spree
The arrest marks the conclusion of a two-month crime wave that had kept local police departments on high alert. Residents and temple authorities had reported multiple burglaries during this period, creating widespread concern in the Varanasi and Ballia regions.
Police authorities have expressed relief at apprehending the suspect, noting that the recovery of stolen religious artifacts holds particular significance for the affected communities. The investigation continues as authorities work to return all recovered items to their rightful owners.
