Kanpur: Three men were arrested late Friday night by police for allegedly stealing temple bells and a donation box from the Devpura Mata temple in Usargaon village, located in the Kalpi Kotwali area of Jalaun district. The suspects were apprehended during a police operation following reports of the theft, which has raised concerns among local residents about security at religious sites.
One of the accused, Sandeep (30), alias Narendra Kumar, opened fire at police personnel in an attempt to escape and suffered a bullet injury to his leg in retaliatory firing by police, according to police. The other two accused, Balram (35) and Lala alias Lalchand (65), were arrested after being cornered by the Kalpi police along with the SWAT and surveillance teams. Police recovered 26 brass bells stolen from the temple, Rs 11,995 allegedly taken from its donation box, a country-made pistol, cartridges, lock-breaking tools and a motorcycle allegedly used in the crime. Additional superintendent of police Ishan Soni said that on the intervening night of Sept 16 and 17, unidentified thieves stole 26 brass temple bells and about Rs 35,000 from the donation box of Devpura Mata Mandir.