Stealing Idols and Bells

Hyderabad, July 2: In a significant breakthrough, the CCS LB Nagar and Ibrahimpatnam police on Wednesday apprehended two men accused of stealing idols, bells, and other sacred artefacts from temples across the city and a local scrap dealer who bought the stolen goods. The accused were identified as Karacha Sivananda (52), Shaik Ham Shareef (38), and Akkapalli Kranthi Kumar (31).

Police recovered a total of 26 stolen items worth approximately ₹5.36 lakh from the trio. The loot included 12 idols made of panchaloha, silver, and aluminium, six temple bells, three brass deepam stands, two steel hundis, and a Honda bike, among other items.

According to authorities, Sivananda and Shaik met at various labour addas while seeking daily-wage work in the city. Sivananda, who had been residing in a rented house at NGO Colony, Vanasthalipuram, for the past six months, teamed up with Shaik, a homeless man who frequently roamed the city’s labour gathering spots. The two struck up a partnership and decided to earn quick money by looting temples.

Starting in February, the duo began conducting recce in rural areas of Yacharam and Ibrahimpatnam using hired autos. They then carried out a series of thefts at multiple temples, targeting religious artefacts that could be easily sold.

After the thefts, the accused approached Kranthi Kumar, a local scrap dealer, and sold the stolen goods for a total of ₹18,500. Police said that Sivananda has a criminal history and was previously involved in similar theft cases at various police stations.

Acting on a tip-off, the police intercepted the suspects at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Mangalpally X Road and arrested them. Further investigation is ongoing.