00Police arrested the accused from neighbouring Odisha and Sarangarh-Bilaigarh districts, recovering property worth about ₹27 lakh.00
Raipur
Raigarh Police has successfully unravelled the sensational theft of religious ornaments and cash from the revered Shri Shyam Mandir. Police arrested six accused from neighbouring Odisha and Sarangarh-Bilaigarh districts, recovering property worth about ₹27 lakh.
The nine-day operation, conducted under the continuous guidance of Inspector General of Police (Bilaspur Range) Dr. Sanjeev Shukla and the leadership of Raigarh Superintendent of Police (SP) Divyang Patel, shows that criminals targeting religious sentiments will find no refuge.
On the night of July 13-14, unknown individuals broke the locks of the temple’s main gate and the sanctum sanctorum. They stole Shyam Baba’s gold crown, earrings, four ‘chhattar’ (canopies), a ‘galpatiya’ (necklace), and other religious ornaments worth about ₹25 lakh, along with ₹2 lakh in cash from the donation box. Bajrang Lal Agrawal, President of Shri Shyam Mandir Mandal, filed a report at Kotwali Police Station. Police registered a case under Sections 331(4) and 305 BNS.
Upon receiving information, SP Divyang Patel, accompanied by City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Anil Vishwakarma, Kotwali Police Station in-charge, other city police staff, cyber cell, forensic team, and dog squad, immediately arrived at the scene. The SP formed a special team of five station in-charges. Their duties included:
- Monitoring CCTV footage
- Questioning old offenders
- Analysing digital evidence
- Investigating similar theft cases across districts
Inspector General Dr. Sanjeev Shukla also visited Raigarh, inspected the crime scene, and gave crucial directions to the team.
Police examined more than 100 CCTV footages from the temple, nearby markets, intersections, and railway stations. They also analysed 1.25 lakh mobile numbers.
Based on suspicious activity before the incident, police identified a suspect and circulated his photo on social media. The district police and Shyam Mandal announced a reward for any information.
A crucial lead identified the suspect as Sarathi Yadav, resident of Thengagudi, under Sarangarh Police Station. He was absconding, but questioning of family confirmed his involvement. He reportedly did not use a mobile phone.
Police arrested Sarathi Yadav near the Odisha border. During interrogation, he confessed and revealed:
- He arrived in Raigarh by bus on July 13
- He surveyed the temple
- Picked up a plastic sheet and iron rod from a vegetable market
- Broke into the temple at night during rain
- Stole the crown, galpatiya, earrings, chhattar, and donation box cash
- Escaped on foot via railway tracks
Later, he contacted his wife Navadai and accomplice Manas Bhoy to bring a motorcycle. At home, he informed Navadai, Manas Bhoy, Upendra Bhoy, Vijay alias Bijju Pradhan, and Divya Pradhan (from Bargarh, Odisha) about the plan to hide and sell the stolen items.
Based on all accused’s statements, police recovered:
- All stolen jewellery
- ₹2 lakh in cash
- The iron rod used
- A Bajaj Platina motorcycle
- An orange t-shirt worn during the theft
(Total value: approx. ₹27 lakh)
Additional charges under Sections 238, 299, 111, and 3(5) BNS, related to hurting religious sentiments and organised crime, were added.
