19 November,2010 06:59 AM IST | | Kumar Siddhartha
'Devotee' who stole temple ornaments held after CCTV reveals identity
Like any devotee, Rajesh Jaigopal Thakur visited Ganjanan Maharaj temple. He again visited the temple two days later on October 29. But this time, not for spiritual reasons. The second time he visited the temple to steal silver ornaments from the temple.
But, his actions were recorded on the CCTV camera. Dattawadi police traced Thakur and arrested him within 15 days of the crime.
His partner in crime is still missing. According to Dattawadi Police station, Senior PI Vijaysinh Gaikwad, the offense took place on October 29th between 2 am and 3 am. Thakur along with one more partner broke into Gajanan Maharaj Temple and fled with booty worth Rs 1 lakh. Their preparation was almost perfect since they finished their job in just 39 seconds.
The stolen material included a silver crown, silver umbrella and silver sheets among others. But as luck may have it, the temple was equipped with CCTV cameras and their theft was neatly captured on the CCTV.
Police Inspector Gaikwad said that CCTV helped them nail the suspect. DCP Dnyaneshwar Phadtare (Zone I) said nailing the suspect was a difficult task since he had no criminal record. Thakur lived on rent in Bhosari's Narayan Haat society with his crime partner. Phadtare refused to share the details and name of the other person involved in the crime. "We have his name and details but those are confidential for now," said Phadtare.
After arresting Thakur, the police raided his place in Rajasthan and found items worth Rs 9,01,700 including seventeen LCD, LID monitors, home theatres, one laptop and two motorbikes. Police is now on a lookout for Thakur's partner, who is absconding.
