NEW DELHI: Unidentified miscreants broke into Samudri Mata Mandir in Maharashtra’s Palghar district and stole valuables worth Rs 2.35 lakh, including an idol, ornaments, and cash from donation boxes, police said on Sunday.
The theft occurred late on Thursday night in the Pimpal Nala area of Chinchani, an official from Vangaon police station said.
A case has been registered under sections 305(a) (theft in a place of worship) and 331(4) (house-breaking after sunset and before sunrise) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A probe is underway.
In a similar incident in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district, a Shivling was stolen from the Bhidbhanjan Mahadev temple near Harshad Gandhavi village a day before Maha Shivratri. The theft was reportedly driven by blind faith, as the mastermind’s niece claimed she dreamt that installing the Shivling at home would bring prosperity.
Police arrested four people and recovered the stolen Shivling, which had been taken 400 km away to Sabarkantha, where it was installed in the accused’s home. The main suspect, Mahesh alias Ramesh Makwana, convinced his relatives that stealing and worshipping the Shivling would bring them wealth and happiness.
The gang, including Ramesh’s nephews Manoj Makwana (19), Vanrajsinh Makwana (40), and accomplice Jagatsinh Makwana (55), conducted multiple recces before executing the theft on February 25. They arrived in two vehicles and stole the Shivling under the cover of darkness.
Devbhumi Dwarka police launched a special investigation, using CCTV footage, technical surveillance, and human intelligence, leading to the arrest of four suspects and the detention of four others. A total of 11 people have been named as accused, including the woman who claimed to have seen the dream, said SP Nitesh Pandey.
Interestingly, the thieves showed reverence for Lord Shiva, ensuring that the Shivling or its base was not damaged. They left behind silver artifacts and other valuables, reinforcing that their motive was faith-driven, not greed.
Initially, police suspected the Shivling had been thrown into the Arabian Sea, as its base was found abandoned on the shore. Scuba divers searched for seven hours before confirming it had been taken elsewhere.
