Thieves Steal 11-kg Silver Mask and Cladding From Vireshwar Temple in Upper Khopoli
Unidentified burglars broke into the historic Vireshwar Temple in Upper Khopoli, Navi Mumbai, during the early hours of Saturday, stealing an 11-kilogram silver face mask and silver cladding fitted on the Shiva Linga. The theft, which occurred between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM on July 19, resulted in the loss of sacred temple artifacts valued at approximately Rs 5.5 lakh.
According to the police, the accused broke open the lock of the temple's rear entrance using a tool. They then forced open the inner door to enter the sanctum sanctorum, where they removed the silver face mask and the silver covering installed on the Shiva Linga before fleeing with the valuables.
The complaint was lodged by temple caretaker Kishor Chander Shigwan, a 56-year-old resident of Upper Khopoli. Based on his complaint, the Khopoli Police registered a case under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to house-breaking by night and theft.
Police investigators suspect that the heist was meticulously planned. They believe the thieves may have been hiding within the temple premises for several hours before executing the burglary.
A team from the Raigad Local Crime Branch, along with fingerprint experts, visited the temple to collect forensic evidence. The entire incident was captured on the temple's CCTV cameras, and investigators are currently examining the footage to identify the suspects and trace their movements before and after the theft.
The Vireshwar Temple is one of Khopoli's oldest and most revered shrines, believed to date back to the Maratha era and later patronised during the Peshwa period. The stolen silver covering had been installed after a religious consecration ceremony and is considered highly sacred by local devotees.
"Prima facie, the accused appear to have carried out a well-planned theft," said Police Inspector Sachin Hire of the Khopoli Police Station. "We are analysing CCTV footage, collecting forensic evidence and pursuing all technical and local intelligence leads. We are confident that those involved will be identified and arrested soon."
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by Police Sub-Inspector Jagtap under the direct supervision of Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rahul Gaikwad.
