Hyderabad: Thieves Decamp with Rs 40-L Worth Ornaments from Temple

Hyderabad: Two unknown assailants allegedly broke into the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Sardar Patel Nagar in KPHB and decamped with gold and silver ornaments estimated to be worth Rs 40 lakh. The theft was reported early on Wednesday, when the priest arrived on the premises to conduct daily rituals.

According to police, the incident occurred around 12.45 am on Tuesday night, when two unidentified persons arrived on a scooty. “We suspect that the assailants entered the premises by climbing over a side wall or entered through a gap near a small gate,” Kukatpally ACP A. Ravi Kiran said.

The burglars allegedly fled with ornaments placed on the moola virat (main deity), including 15 kg of silver ornaments and two tolas of gold.

Temple secretary Raju said the value of the stolen property was estimated to be around Rs 40 lakh. Police, however, said the exact value and weight of the ornaments was yet to be assessed.

Special teams have been formed to trace the accused.

“Our Clues, CCS team and local police visited the spot. CCTV footage from the temple and surrounding areas is being analysed. We are also examining call detail records to trace the suspects,” the ACP said adding that two persons were seen in CCTV visuals leaving the area on a two-wheeler.

Police said a case has been registered and efforts are on to identify and apprehend the accused at the earliest. Police are also working on verifying the criminal history of the accused.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.