Three-member gang arrested for temple thefts across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka

Police have recovered 21 kilograms of silver ornaments, melted silver lumps and a two-wheeler worth nearly ₹40 lakhs following the arrest of three men accused of systematically targeting temples across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh told reporters that the accused wore masks, gloves and sprayed colours on CCTV cameras to conceal their identity while committing the thefts. The arrests were made following special surveillance mounted by Kalyandurgam Rural police after the Rampuram Maremma temple theft within Kambadur limits, where CCTV cameras had been damaged.

The Accused and Their Method

The three men arrested have been identified as Kurapati Sai Kumar and Kanumukkala Chand Basha, both from Anantapur district, and Gundappagari Sudam from Parigi mandal in Sri Sathya Sai district. Sai Kumar and Chand Basha were good friends, with the former working at a vehicle servicing centre and the latter employed as a labourer laying tiles, according to the SP.

The money they earned from these jobs was reportedly not sufficient for their vices, which led them to target temples to earn easy money. The duo had already committed six offences each in the past one year before Sudam joined them. After the third member came on board, the gang reportedly committed thefts in nine temples across both states.

Pattern of Temple Thefts

"They targeted locked temples and committed the thefts when no one was present," Mr. Jagadeesh said. The gang stole silver ornaments that adorned the deity or idols, melted them down and sold them, the SP explained.

Police arrested the gang based on credible information and interrogated them. During the inquiry, officers discovered the accused had committed nine thefts at Kambadur, Brahmasamudram, Settur, Pamidi, Bukkarayasamudram, Ramagiri Nasanakota Muthyalamma temple and Roddlam in Andhra Pradesh, as well as at Koratagere and Kyasasandra limits in Tumakuru district of Karnataka.

"Anyone who causes harm to the security of temples and the faith of the people will be brought before the law. Theft at holy places will not be tolerated," Mr. Jagadeesh said. The SP appreciated the police officers of Kalyandurgam Rural Circle for solving the case.

Source: The Hindu