TV
In yet another incident of theft in temples in Odisha, unidentified miscreants allegedly broke into the Shani Temple located on Baghra Road in Baripada and looted the temple's donation box and vault. The theft reportedly occurred late on Saturday night, sparking concern among the local community.
According to sources, the temple witnessed a large gathering of devotees the day before yesterday due to a major religious ceremony and puja conducted in honour of the deity.
Following the event, members of the temple trust board closed the temple around 9 pm and returned home. The theft came to light when the temple committee reopened the premises on Sunday morning and found the donation boxes broken and emptied.
Estimated Loss Around Rs 30,000
Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately Rs 30,000 in cash was stolen from the vaults. The robbers had reportedly used sharp objects and knives to carry out the attack as several of these were found lying around the temple.
“I was informed in the morning that the temple may have been broken into. Upon reaching the spot, I entered the temple with locals and found that the main lock was broken and the vault was left wide open. A small donation box was also stolen,” added the temple priest.
Further, the temple committee suspected that individuals involved in antisocial activities near the adjacent railway tracks could be linked to the crime.
They pointed out that a significant number of such people often gather in the area during nighttime, raising suspicions about their involvement in the theft.
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Police Investigation Underway
The temple committee informed the local police about the incident, and a case was registered, and an investigation is underway. As of the last reports, authorities were reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas and gathering witness statements to identify and apprehend the culprits.
