With the arrest of three Nepali nationals, Delhi Police today claimed to have solved a murder- dacoity case in which religious idols worth crores of rupees were stolen from a temple in Shimla.
"On the night of 22 July four people namely barged into the centuries old temple of 'Devta Saheb Bondra' in village Banchhuchh of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh and then decamped with brass idols, and other valuable articles and ornaments after killing the watchman Hira Lal (62)," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sindhu Pillai.
The temple Committee had announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for recovery of the idols.
The accused were identified as Ramesh Shahi, Bharat Shahi, Dhirendra Shahi and Vikas Shahi (brother of Dhirendra)
"On July 27, a tip off was received that suspects in the case are likely to visit the bus parking area near Majnu ka Tilla around 5 PM. A trap was laid. Three of them were apprehended while one of their associate Vikas went missing," said Pillai.
After the arrest, Delhi Police left for Rohru, Shimla, to recover the stolen articles on the instance of the trio.
Two bags containing brass idols of 'Bondra Devta' weighing around 6 kgs, six small idols of other gods/goddesses, two brass idols of Lord Ganesha besides other valuable silver and brass antique articles of the temple were recovered, police said.
According to the police, during interrogation it was revealed that a Nepali national Khagender Singh, residing in India, had masterminded the theft. Efforts are on to apprehend to Khagender and Vikas Shahi. Further investigations will be carried out by Shimla Police.
