Couple detained for temple donation box thefts in Ganjam

A couple has been detained by police in Ganjam for allegedly stealing cash from temple donation boxes. This speaks to a wider issue of security at religious sites across the region.

As per reports, the apprehension occurred at Keshpur square along the National Highway No.16 in the district during a routine vehicle check by the Khallikote police. 

As per sources, the accused, identified as residents of Rambha area, had been masquerading as devotees to conduct the thefts.

Following their arrest, the couple confessed to their involvement in the thefts. Police seized Rs 30,000, gold ornaments, two silver chains, and one of the stolen donation boxes from their scooty. They admitted targeting temples in Khallikote, Keshpur and Rambha areas.

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Khallikote police is delving deeper into the investigation to assess the full extent of their activities and to determine if others might be implicated.

“Following regular thefts at temples in Khallikote area, we carried out an investigation and got a CCTV video footage in the process. We found a couple riding a scooty from the footage. We became suspicious of them and intensified our investigation. 

After detaining and interrogating the couple they confessed their crime,” said Chhatrapur SDPO Gourahari Sahu.

“The couple has admitted to their thefts at three temples in the Khallikote area and one temple in Rambha area,” he added.