Masked Thieves Loot Ancient Maa Ashapuri Bhavani Temple in Ujjain
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the religious community, masked men broke into the ancient Maa Ashapuri Bhavani temple located in Nazarpur village, under the Ghattiya police station limits in Ujjain district. The brazen theft occurred late on Tuesday night, with the perpetrators making away with silver ornaments weighing approximately eight kilograms. This temple, situated about one kilometer inside the village in a secluded area, is a major centre of faith for devotees across the region, making the crime particularly distressing for local worshippers.
Discovery of the Theft
On Wednesday morning, the temple priest, Antar Singh Hirawat, arrived at the site for his routine cleaning and worship duties. To his horror, he noticed a broken window grill, which immediately raised suspicions. Acting swiftly, Hirawat informed the temple committee members and alerted the local police authorities. Upon reaching the spot, both the committee and police officials conducted a thorough inspection. When the sanctum sanctorum was opened, it was discovered that the thieves had stolen the deity's crown and a silver canopy, items of significant religious and material value.
CCTV Footage Reveals Detailed Sequence
CCTV footage from the temple provided crucial insights into the sequence of events during the robbery. The footage showed that the thieves first broke the temple's window grill before proceeding to break through the sanctum grill. One masked individual entered the inner sanctum, bowed before the deity in a gesture that added a chilling dimension to the crime, and then proceeded to steal the ornaments. Meanwhile, three other accomplices were seen waiting outside, likely keeping watch or assisting in the operation. This detailed recording has become a key piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Police Response and Investigation
Additional Superintendent of Police Guruprasad Parashar addressed the media, stating that technical evidence was meticulously collected from the crime scene. He confirmed that the incident was captured on CCTV cameras, which has aided the investigation significantly. A specialized team from the cyber cell visited the spot along with a dog squad and fingerprint experts to gather forensic evidence and trace the culprits. Based on the footage and other clues, police have registered a case and launched an intensive search for the accused, aiming to bring them to justice swiftly.
The theft has highlighted concerns about the security of ancient temples in remote areas, prompting calls for enhanced protection measures. Devotees and local residents are hopeful that the police will soon apprehend the thieves and recover the stolen items, restoring a sense of safety and sanctity to this revered place of worship.
