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Idukki : Vandiperiyar Police arrested three persons within 12 hours of a theft at Anjilikavu Devi Temple at Mattumkoodu in Ayyappancoil, Vandiperiyar, and recovered the stolen articles and cash. The arrested were Arun , 33, of Nellimala estate layam, Ranjith , 30, of Ottaplackal in Nellimala Attoram and Siva , 30, of Konimara estate layam at Chottupara. The total value of the stolen property was estimated at around Rs 5 lakh.
The temple authorities immediately alerted the police, following which a special investigation was launched.
Ranjith, the second accused, lives alone in a house located close to the temple, according to the police. The stolen articles were later concealed in a tea plantation near Ranjith’s house, police said. Lamps, bronze vessels, a cooking vessel, a silver pot and cash kept in the donation box were stolen. Arun and Siva were frequent visitors at the house. They suspect that Arun planned the theft and enlisted the help of the other two. He then opened another door to allow Ranjith and Siva to enter. The three allegedly collected the valuables and escaped from the temple. The investigation took another turn when Arun allegedly sent Ranjith to Kottayam with the cash stolen from the donation box to sell the silver pot. Ranjith was subsequently traced and arrested in Kottayam. The other two accused were taken into custody from the area near the temple. Police dog Eva also played a crucial role in the investigation. The police recovered the stolen temple articles as well as the cash from the accused. The investigation was led by Vandiperiyar police sub-inspectors Akbar Sadiq, Anilkumar and Jey John. ASI Binoy, Satheesh Chandra, Santhosh Rejimon, CPOs Basheer and Sanil and SCPO Ratheesh were also part of the police team.
The accused were produced before the Peermade court and were remanded in judicial custody. The theft was detected on Wednesday morning when temple authorities found that the storeroom had been broken open.