Chennai Police Cracks Down on Monk Impersonator After Year-Long Multi-State Investigation
In a significant breakthrough, Chennai police have successfully apprehended a 60-year-old man from Pune following an exhaustive year-long investigation. The suspect, identified as Jeevan Singh, was arrested for allegedly disguising himself as a monk and orchestrating a series of burglaries at Jain temples across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka.
Intensive CCTV Analysis Leads to Arrest
The case initially came to light in February 2025 when a major theft was reported at a Jain temple located on Mint Street in Sowcarpet, Chennai. The stolen items included a substantial 600-gram gold bar and a heavy 10-kilogram silver crown. Following a formal complaint, the Elephant Gate police division launched a detailed investigation, meticulously reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area.
The footage revealed a suspect who had covered his face with a cloth and used a torch to carry out the theft under the cover of darkness. Police teams then embarked on a painstaking tracking operation, monitoring the suspect's movements across more than 100 different CCTV cameras. This digital trail eventually led investigators to Egmore railway station, where the individual was seen boarding a train to Nashik while cleverly disguised as a preacher.
Cross-State Crime Spree Uncovered
The investigation faced a temporary setback when the suspect's whereabouts became unknown after the Nashik journey. However, a major lead emerged three months ago when a similar robbery was reported at a Jain temple in the Kachiguda district of Telangana. The local police team shared their CCTV footage with the Elephant Gate police in Chennai.
A comparative analysis confirmed that the same suspect was involved in both incidents, linking the crimes across state lines. This discovery prompted an intensive investigation that ultimately identified the perpetrator as Jeevan Singh from Pune, Maharashtra. Further scrutiny revealed his involvement in a broader series of temple thefts, including incidents in Salem, Chengalpet, and various other parts of Tamil Nadu, as well as additional crimes in Karnataka and Telangana.
Arrest and Interrogation Details
The arrest was executed by a special police team led by Inspector Alagammal. Jeevan Singh was apprehended in Pune and subsequently produced before a local court. Authorities obtained a transit warrant and transported him to Chennai by train on Wednesday, where he was lodged in the Puzhal Central Prison.
During interrogation, Jeevan Singh confessed to using the proceeds from his crimes, which he referred to as "sin money," to purchase a plot in the Lonikand area. He constructed separate houses for his wife, son, and daughter using these illicit funds. Additionally, he disclosed that the stolen gold and silver items were sold to 30-year-old real estate businessman Raj Bahu Rathore.
This case highlights the sophisticated use of CCTV technology and cross-state police cooperation in solving complex criminal activities. The arrest marks the culmination of a diligent effort involving the analysis of over 200 CCTV footages, demonstrating the Chennai police's commitment to tackling organized crime that spans multiple jurisdictions.
