The Delhi Police have arrested a man and a scrap dealer for stealing and selling an ancient ashtadhatu idol of Lord Shanidev and other valuables from a temple in Chandni Chowk, officials said on Friday.
The accused have been identified as Dilshad (45), a resident of Yamuna Bazar, and Geeta Kumari, who works as a scrap dealer with her husband in Chandani Chowk.
According to the police, the theft took place at Shani Mandir in the Katra Lehswan area of Chandni Chowk. The stolen idol, estimated to be worth around Rs 5-6 lakh, along with several brass articles, was reported missing on the morning of May 12 by temple priest Mukesh Sharma.
Following a complaint, the police registered an e-FIR and launched an investigation, especially keeping in view the upcoming Maha Shani Jayanti celebrations on May 16. A special team from the Kotwali police station was formed to crack the case and recover the stolen religious articles, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said.
During investigation, the police examined footage from more than 300 CCTV cameras installed around the temple and nearby routes. Officials said analysis of the footage helped identify the main accused as Dilshad, alias Banta, a vagabond residing near Hanuman Mandir at Yamuna Bazar, the DCP said.
Based on technical surveillance and secret information, the accused was apprehended on the night of May 14. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to stealing the idol and other brass articles from the temple by scaling the wall with the help of a tent on the intervening night of May 11 and 12, Banthia mentioned.
The police said the accused later sold the idol and stolen articles for Rs 3,800 to Geeta Kumari, a scrap dealer living near the Red Fort. Acting on his disclosure, the police recovered the stolen Ashtadhatu idol, a chhatra, a mace, a plate and two light stands from her residence. She was subsequently arrested in the early hours of May 15.
According to the police, Dilshad is addicted to drugs and alcohol and has been previously involved in 15 criminal cases related to theft, snatching, burglary and Arms Act violations across Delhi. Geeta Kumari was also found to be previously involved in a theft case registered at the Kotwali police station.
The police said all stolen articles had been recovered and further investigation is underway.
