Latest news with #Panchaloha
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
Gang assaults temple officials
T'puram: A group of assailants allegedly assaulted the staff on night duty at the Nadu Kaani Shastha Temple in Poovachal on Monday. The incident occurred when the employees were guarding the temple premises as part of enhanced security measures following a recent idol theft. According to a complaint filed with Kattakada police, the gang arrived on motorcycles and violently attacked R Santhosh Kumar, temple's chief trustee and a resident of Attinkuzhy near Kazhakkoottam. He suffered injuries and was admitted to a hospital at Kattakada for treatment. The complaint states that the attack happened when Kumar, accompanied by his friend Shijo, a member of the temple development committee, noticed a group of men standing suspiciously near the temple. Upon questioning them, the gang turned violent and assaulted Kumar. Hearing the commotion, Shijo rushed to the spot, only to be held back and assaulted by the group. The accused fled the scene before locals could intervene. The attack follows the theft of a Panchaloha (five-metal) idol from the temple a few weeks ago. In response to the theft, the temple authorities appointed members of the committee to take turns guarding the premises at night. Police registered a case and confirmed that six people were named in the complaint, three of whom were already identified. Initial probes suggest that the assailants were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. "We are pursuing leads based on the complaint and eyewitness accounts. Three suspects have been identified and efforts are on to trace the rest," a senior police officer said.
New Indian Express
03-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Homeless labourer among three held for idol theft in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Rachakonda police arrested three persons for allegedly stealing temple idols from multiple temples on the city outskirts. The police seized 25 items, including 12 Panchaloha idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and others, worth Rs 5.36 lakh. The arrested include two habitual offenders from Andhra Pradesh — Karacha Sivananda and Shaik Ham Shareef — both involved in seven theft cases. A third accused, Akkapalli Kranthi Kumar, was identified as the receiver of the stolen items. Police said Sivananda, who had been living in a rented room in Vanasthalipuram for six months, and Shareef, a homeless labourer, became acquainted at labourer addas. Both were in need of money and decided to target temples. On February 27, they stole four temple bells from Mallikarjuna Swamy temple and Sivalayam in Bandlaguda. On June 15, they looted items including a Pustela Thadu and two Deepam stands from Mallanna Swamy temple in Upparaguda. On June 24, they stole a bike near Uppal Metro station and began conducting recces in Ibrahimpatnam and Abdullapurmet. On June 29, the duo committed a major theft at a temple in Abdullapurmet, during which they stole several Panchaloha idols.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
Telangana temple theft gang busted: 12 idols recovered; labourers, scrap dealer nabbed near Mangalpally crossroads
HYDERABAD: A gang involved in a series of idol thefts was busted and two thieves and a receiver were arrested by the Rachakonda Central Crime Station (CCS) police at Mangalpally Crossroads near Bongloor on Wednesday. They also recovered 12 idols and temple articles, worth 5.36 lakh from their possession. Around 8:30am, acting on specific intelligence, teams from the CCS, LB Nagar, and Ibrahimpatnam police intercepted Karacha Sivananda, 52, a labourer from Vanasthalipuram, Shaik Shareef, 38, a daily-wager from Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, but currently staying at LB Nagar, and Akkapalli Kranthi Kumar, 31, a scrap dealer from Uppal, at Mangalpally Crossroads. Police recovered 12 idols and temple articles, along with a stolen motorcycle, mobile phones, and crowbars, all worth 5.36 lakh. The haul includes Panchaloha idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Peddiraju, Peddamma, Ayyappa, a silver Ayyappa idol, brass lamps, temple bells, and hundi boxes. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Rachakonda police commissioner G Sudheer Babu said Sivananda, who was previously accused in five theft cases in Warangal and Rachakonda police commissionerates, and Shareef, who has no prior criminal record, became friends at labour addas and plotted to make easy money by targeting unguarded village temples. "They conducted recces in hired autos, used crowbars to break locks, and stole idols," he said. The gang struck at temples in Gandlaguda, Upparaguda, Saddupally, Dandumailaram, and Polkampally, sometimes targeting two places of worship nearby in one go, between Feb and June 2025. They sold some stolen idols to Kumar for 18,500. Six cases have been booked at Yacharam, Ibrahimpatnam, and Abdullapurment police stations against the accused. The accused, along with the seized articles, would be produced before court for judicial remand.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Three arrested for theft at temple in North Paravur
Kochi: arrested three men in connection with theft of items worth lakhs from a temple in Cheriyappilly, North Paravur. Arrested individuals are Ramjan Sarkar, 34, Sahinur Islam, 34, and Bappan Mandal, 26, all natives of Murshidabad, West items include a Panchaloha lamp worth Rs 2 lakh, eight large lamps, 30 small lamps, a hundial containing gold, silver coins and cash, four brass pots, a hanging lamp and over 10 vessels. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The theft happened on the night of May to police, the accused used to scout locations during the day under the guise of collecting scrap and returned at night to commit the thefts. Investigation team was led by Munambam DSP S Jayakrishnan and North Paravur station inspector Shojo Varghese. SIs KU Shine, MM Manoj, Biju, ASIs KS Biju, Ansar, Lohithakshan, Sinumon and civil police officers Reji, Krishnalal and Vishnu were part of the team.
