Six Held for Stealing Brass Bells from Purvanchal districts Temples
Varanasi: Police in Azamgarh have arrested six members of an inter-district gang allegedly involved in stealing brass bells from temples across Purvanchal, seizing 20 stolen bells, Rs 1 lakh cash and two cars used in the crimes. On the night of September 29, the accused stole 11 brass bells and returned on October 1 to steal nine more. A case was registered at Mehnagar police station under Section 305(d) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted to stealing four brass bells from a temple in Saidpur, Ghazipur, on August 7.
CO (Phulpur) Bhupesh Kumar Pandey said a joint team of Mehnagar and Tarva police raided a spot near Vishunpura turning on the Kharihani-Chiraiyakot road following a tip-off. The gang members were allegedly transferring stolen bells from one car to another when police arrived. They tried to flee but were surrounded and arrested. The gang came under the police scanner after allegedly targeting Pauhari Baba temple in Mehnagar twice within three days. Police are verifying their involvement in other temple thefts.