Idols stolen from temple recovered, 4 held

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 18

The police have arrested four persons for stealing ‘ashtadhatu’ idols of gods and goddesses from ancient temple at Mundaghat near Junga on September 11 and recovered the idols.

The police arrested four persons, Kamlesh from Kalar village in the Arki subdivision of Solan district on Wednesday, and Rajender of Banjarni village, Ashok of Shardaghat village and Ritik Gadyana of village.

The police have recovered the idols, which have been identified by temple priest Ganga Ram. He had informed the police about the theft after he opened the doors of the temple and found the ‘ashtadhatu’ idols missing.

However, a few parts of the idols were missing and efforts were on to recover them, the police said.

The value of the idols is stated to be Rs 4.5 lakh, but villagers said the idols were antique and invaluable.

A case under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPChas been registered. All four accused have been sent to police custody till September 21.