Two Men Nabbed for Kandivali Temple Break-In
In a significant breakthrough, the Kandivali Police have successfully apprehended two individuals accused of breaking into a temple and stealing a substantial amount of cash from the donation box. The incident, which has shocked the local community, occurred in the Kandivali West area of Mumbai.
The Midnight Temple Robbery
The crime took place in the early hours of December 23. Between 3 am and 5 am, the accused targeted a Shankar temple located on SV Road in Kandivali West. They forcibly smashed open the door lock to gain entry. Once inside, they focused on the donation box, from which they made away with Rs 50,000.
An FIR regarding the theft was registered on December 26, prompting immediate action from the police. Dedicated teams were formed to crack the case. The investigation heavily relied on technological evidence, as officers scoured CCTV footage from the vicinity of the temple.
How the Police Cracked the Case
The surveillance cameras provided crucial leads. The footage clearly captured two men arriving at the temple in an auto-rickshaw. After committing the crime, they were seen fleeing the scene via the Western Express Highway towards Mira Road.
Following the auto-rickshaw trail, the police managed to track down and apprehend Ali Raza Khan, a 38-year-old resident of Mira Road. Upon his arrest, Khan cooperated with the investigators and led them to the alleged mastermind of the operation.
The prime accused was identified as 30-year-old Prashant Chorat, who had already left Mumbai for his hometown in Satara. Undeterred, a police team traveled to Satara and successfully took Chorat into custody.
Past Crimes and Police Commendation
During the investigation, the police revealed that this gang was not new to such activities. They are suspected of being involved in a similar temple theft that occurred earlier in Malad East.
The successful detection of this case was credited to the diligent work of investigating officer Hemant Gite. The operation was conducted under the supervision of DCP Sandeep Jadhav, ACP Nita Padvi, and senior inspector Karan Sonkavde.
This arrest brings relief to the local devotees and serves as a stern warning against targeting religious institutions. The Kandivali Police's swift use of CCTV evidence and follow-up action highlights their commitment to maintaining law and order in the area.
