Gujarat: Man's temple bell thefts rang alarm bells for cops

SURAT: A 42-year-old farmer was nabbed on Tuesday by people from Vasva village on the outskirts of the city for his alleged involvement in a series of thefts of brass bells from temples in different villages.


The accused identified as Yogesh Prajapati of Ilav village near Hansot in Bharuch was handed over to police by villagers.

Investigation revealed that he was involved in the theft of six bells worth Rs 36,000 from six different temples.

Police have booked him in three separate offences registered in Hazira and Ichhapore police stations.

After the thefts of bells from two temples in Vasva village, the locals had examined the CCTV footages in which a man was seen stealing the bells. On Tuesday some villagers noticed Prajapati moving on a motorcycle.

Some villagers found Prajapati’s face similar to the thief seen in the CCTV footage. So they chased and stopped Prajapati.

They found tools which are used to separate the bell from a chain on him. Seeing the huge crowd, Prajapati confessed of stealing the bells.

Police said that Prajapati had been stealing bells from temples since last few months. He used to go to the temples in the afternoon and steal the bells when no one was around. He then sold the bells in a shop in Kosamba .

Prajapati has been booked for thefts at Sakariya Hanumanji Temple in Junagam of Hazira; Santoshi Mata Temple and Paldevi Mata Temple at in Vasva village and Sindhvai Mata, Verai Mata and Hanumanji temple in Damka village.