Thieves Apprehended for Temple Heist in Delhi's Chandni Chowk

Two individuals, including a seasoned burglar, have been arrested for stealing an antique idol and brass items from a historic temple in Delhi. The theft occurred before a significant religious celebration, prompting swift police action resulting in the recovery of the stolen artifacts.

A 45-year-old burglar and a woman have been arrested in connection with the theft of an antique idol and brass items from a century-old temple in Delhi's Chandni Chowk, police revealed on Friday.

Dilshad, also known as Banta, with a history of 15 criminal cases, was identified through extensive CCTV footage analysis. The theft at the Prachin Shri Shiv Nav Grah Temple took place under the cover of night between May 11 and 12, just ahead of the temple's Maha Shani Jayanti celebration, elevating the urgency of the investigation.

A police team used more than 300 CCTV footages to track Dilshad, who resided near Hanuman Mandir in Yamuna Bazar. His confession led to the arrest of a female accomplice who was found with the stolen items, including the revered Ashtadhatu idol. Further investigation is ongoing.