Three-member gang arrested for temple thefts across A.P., Karnataka

Police reportedly arrested three persons in connection with temple thefts across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and seized 21 kilograms of silver ornaments, melted silver lumps and a two-wheeler, all worth nearly ₹40 lakhs from the accused.

Addressing the media here on Tuesday, Superintendent of Police (SP) P. Jagadeesh said that the accused reportedly wore masks on their faces, gloves on their hands and sprayed colours on CCTV cameras while committing thefts at the temples. The 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.

The SP said that Sai Kumar and Chand Basha were good friends. Sai Kumar used to work at a vehicle servicing centre, while the latter worked as a labourer laying tiles. However, the money that they earned from these works was not sufficient for their vices, which reportedly led them to target temples in order to earn easy money. In the past one year, the duo had already committed six offences each, and after Sudam joined them, the three reportedly committed thefts in nine temples in both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

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

Following the theft at Rampuram Maremma temple within Kambadur limits, where the CCTV cameras were damaged, Kalyandurgam Rural police maintained special surveillance. Based on credible information, the gang was arrested and interrogated, the SP informed.

During the inquiry, police also found out that they had committed nine thefts at Kambadur, Brahmasamudram, Settur, Pamidi, Bukkarayasamudram, Ramagiri Nasanakota Muthyalamma temple, Roddlam, as well as 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.

On the occasion, the SP appreciated the police officers of Kalyandurgam Rural Circle for solving the case.